James Olley possesses a golden horseshoe. I had the opportunity to view his inaugural exhibit prior to the public at the Angell Gallery on West Queen West on Friday night as part of a collective body of work titled Intellectual Chic.

Fresh from completing his Masters of Fine Arts at the University of Waterloo the young artist recently emailed the Angell Gallery in the hopes for representation. Such requests normally do not pan out. Olley succeeded.

Entering Olley's world is like travelling back in time to a modernist 1960's suburban Hollywood home seen from the lens of a post modern eye.

I am interested in the ways people inhabit space and the inherent tensions and energies generated within the complexities of a dynamic space. My work combines familiar architecture with social spaces in urban and suburban spaces that are common in contemporary society. I activate the spaces within my paintings through a dynamic fusion of representation, abstraction and the fragmentation of imagery.

Tension abounds in Olley's work; yet meeting the artist in person put me at ease. Architectural structures remain static yet subtle spurts of fluorescent paint in the forefront bring fluidity and a constant state of transformation to his urban spaces.

Kudos to Jamie Angell for representing fresh young talent whose work is accessible and marketable. For Olley, his star is rising. Soon the best way to view his work will be at a friend's condo while drinking port on a Saturday night.

Intellectual Chic runs from July 12 to August 16 at the Angell Gallery located 890 Queen West
Killings Residence depicted above in oil, acrylic and coloured pencil on canvas