Ira Hoffecker

Urban Setting I + zoom

Urban Setting III + zoom

Urban Setting V + zoom

Urban Setting VIII + zoom

Artists Statement

My work is inspired by city architecture, urban planning, reconstruction and restoration. I examine the relationships between people, and cities, urban conglomerations, between human nature and industrialism, and I experiment with the contrasts between transparency and opaqueness, flatness and depth, and sharp lines and liquid paint.

I am fascinated by urban planning and by how to integrate new buildings among already erected structures. The shapes should communicate with each other and find a language that they relate to.

In my last series of abstract paintings I explored the concept of organized shapes and networks versus chaotic lines and random shapes. In these compositions I simplified my imagery to fundamental forms and essential structures. Most of my life I have lived in large cities; my abstract art reflects my fascination with urban settings. I love to study city and topographic maps and to analyze strategies for urban planning.

For my upcoming October show at Axis Contemporary Art Gallery I have been working on a new series of copper paintings. The copper is partly oxidized and I reflect on the relationship between nature and urbanism. I am working with resin and mixed media to give these paintings even more depth.

"Painting is a journey. It is a great experience when you take what is within you, all of your inspiration and ideas, and walk the path of creative exploration. This sensation motivates my endeavors as an artist".

Biography

Ira Hoffecker is an abstract artist from Victoria in Canada.

At the moment her work is represented by four galleries in British Columbia and Alberta and she will have an exhibition at Axis Contemporary Art Gallery in Calgary in October 2010.

Ira is thrilled to have sold 39 paintings since the beginning of 2009 and 23 paintings so far in 2010.

Ira Hoffecker has taken part in several exhibitions including:

• The installation project “Inter Alia” in 2007 at the Slide Room Gallery in Victori,
• “Anatomy of Grays” in 2008 at the Slide Room Gallery in Victoria
• the Sidney Fine Art Show in October 2009
• Since the beginning of 2010 Ira’s work is exhibitet the fine arts gallery „The Gallery“ at Mattick’s Farm in Victoria
• the Look Victoria 2010 show in Victoria in February 2010 - Honourable Mention
• From April 8 to May 4, 2010 Ira had a show at Victoria's contemporary art gallery, Dales Gallery together with sculpturor Jan Johnson
• U 8 Event at Sopa Fine Arts Gallery in KELOWNA in April 2010
• Starting May 7th 2010 Ira has several of her paintings at Sooke Harbour House Art Gallery
• Agnes Bugera Fine Art Gallery in EDMONTON invited Ira to take part in a summer group show of 5 artists/sculpturors. The exhibition took place in June 2010
• Ira is now also represented by Axis Contemporary Art Gallery in CALGARY, where she will also have an exhibition in October 2010
• The Sooke Fine Art Show 2010 - July 23rd to August 2nd
• In Victoria Ira’s art is now permanentely represented by Dales Gallery were she will also have a show again in 2011
• As of October 2010 Ira’s work will be permanentely represented in Edmonton by Front Gallery where she will have an exhibition in February 2011

Ira was born and raised in Bavaria, Germany. She studied French and Economics and became head of publicity at Warner Bros. Germany. Before Ira and her family moved to Canada in 2004, she worked also as a freelance marketing consultant with her own company in the movie industry.

After 15 years in a professional career Ira was finally able to turn intensively to what has been her lifelong interest, art. She studied art at the Vancouver Island School of Art with remarkable artists like Wendy Welch, Xane St. Phillip, John Luna, Inga Roemer and others. Before she decided that she wanted to put all her concentration on painting and to become a professional painter, she also had an opportunity to study independently with Xane St. Phillip.

"In my art I don’t focus on copying the realistic. I love the abstract expressionism, the work is about creation and interpretation. I want to be part of this creative process and create something that has not existed before and that comes from myself. Coming from a different life I understand my chance to be able to create a piece of art as an incredible priviledge. Making art is something very powerful".