Gauguin’s Questions Suite

In the upper left-hand corner of Gauguin’s best–known masterpiece painted by him in Tahiti, are inscribed three sentences:

D’où Venons Nous / Que Sommes Nous / Où Allons Nous

Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?

I regard these as universal and eternal questions for all human beings. We shall continue asking them as we attempt to solve the mystery of our existence and the uncertainty of our future. They became a personal challenge for me, as I began working on a new series of works attempting to explore and search for answers.

Gauguin's Questions Suite, Where do we come from?’ 2007, mixed media on canvas, 24x54 in,
Where do we come from?’ 2007, mixed media on canvas, 24×54 in, collection of the Penticton Art Gallery

 

Gauguin's Questions Suite, Where are we going? 2007, mixed media on canvas, 24×54 in
Where are we going? 2007, mixed media on canvas, 24×54 in, collection of the Penticton Art Gallery

 

Gauguin's Questions Suite, Adieu le Paradis, adieu, 2010, mixed media on canvas, 36×48 in.
Adieu le Paradis, adieu, 2010, mixed media on canvas, 36×48 in.
Gauguin's Questions Suite, Stillness, 2011, mixed media on canvas, 36×48 in.
Stillness, 2011, mixed media on canvas, 36×48 in.