These large-scale paintings (5'x6') painting collages resist being read as abstracts or narrative, landscape or figure. Much of Paley's materials involve magazine photographs that are cut and manipulated to engulf the viewer into a world of chaotic thoughts and emotions. The densely coated surfaces seduce viewers into associations and narratives of their own making. This opening is part of SWARM, a city-wide celebration of artist run culture produced by PAARC.

Stewart Paley's developed use of collage combined with paint covers new ground in the medium. He was born in NYC in 1940 and studied at the Carnegie Institute of Technology. He has lived in Vancouver since the early 1970s.