To some, yellow represents sunshine, warmth, summer, and happiness. To others, yellow means fear, caution, and toxicity.

Vancouver’s sulphur piles are a bright fluorescent yellow spot on Vancouver’s north shore. Sulphur is a byproduct of petroleum production. Our own Vancouver piles are from Shell Canada’s oil sands production.

Sulphur is also known as brimstone. Brimstone is associated with hell and hellfire. And yet: in alchemy, sulphur symbolizes the soul. There are three essential elements: Body (salt), Mind (mercury), and Soul (sulphur). I like to think there’s a meaning for Vancouver there.

 
$900
Acrylic on Canvas, 12″ x 24″
Autumn, 2011
Located at: my studio.