Jeffery Strangman is a native Edmontonian, and a first generation Canadian of Dutch descent. Jeffery began drawing extensively at a young age leading him serendipitously to the applied arts as a career and finally to teaching. Artistry was always front and center through primary school which lead him to further post-secondary studies at Grant McEwan and then on to the Alberta College of Art and Design in Calgary. On completion, Jeffery was granted a provincial scholarship towards a masters program in illustration. On completing his studies, Jeffery began exhibiting works at Propaganda, curated by Carol Pashak, which gained him local recognition. This followed an invitation by Mr. Bruce Borysiuk, curator for Inter-Alia Arts, for a significant group exhibition with the likes of Illingworth Kerr and Frank Haddock. After many years in professional practice, as a graphic designer, Illustrator, and partner at State of the Art - Design & Illustration, Jeffery landed a lucrative teaching position at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). It was there that he founded a visual communications study path that included key courseware development, delivery and coordination for the Digital Media and IT program. Philosophy The artist's aesthetic is defined by an exploratory marriage of structural line-work and improvisational mark-making which serves to define the content imagery. Jeffery asserts that breaking structure, taking advantage of an opportunistic "letting go" reveals the truth of the moment. He points out that compositional ideas develop and find a visual voice and natural context as the aesthetic evolves. Influences Jeffery is inspired by numerous art movements and artists, including: the Italian Renaissance, the Russian Revolution, the Bauhaus and Dadist movements. Artists of note are varied and include: Milton Glaser, James McMullan, Michael Svob, David Downton, Richard Serra and Frank Gehry. Raison d'être Jeffery’s aim is to develop unique compositional ideas that result in imagery that breaks with societal presets and challenges conventionality. The aim is to provide an experience beyond the surface that provokes thought. "I want my work to be impactful and to contribute in ways not seen before."