TODD LAMBETH

Todd Lambeth is a Victoria, BC-based artist whose vibrant, optically challenging paintings explore the shifting nature of perception and the interplay between vision, color, and pictorial space. His process blends traditional painting techniques with digital tools, drawing inspiration from optical illusions, graphic design, hard-edged Modernism, and the pervasive imagery of consumer culture.

Lambeth's work creates a dynamic visual experience. Like the classic Rubin's vase illusion, his paintings present ambiguous spaces where figure and ground constantly shift, inviting viewers to question the stability of their own perceptions. Contrasting areas of flatly applied paint create an unsettling, almost vibrating effect, where images seem to flicker and reform, demanding a more active and mindful engagement from the viewer.

His ongoing "Witch" series, begun in late 2023, exemplifies this approach. These works juxtapose the archetypal image of the witch—a figure rich in primordial and psychological associations—with iconic commercial logos. This unexpected pairing serves as both a critique and a celebration of consumerism, extending the dialogue initiated by Pop Art masters. By fusing these seemingly disparate symbols, Lambeth forces a reconsideration of their cultural significance, prompting viewers to see them in a new light. The shifting visual landscapes within these paintings mirror the transitory nature of consumer trends and the ephemeral nature of meaning itself.

Lambeth's work has been exhibited extensively across Canada, including the current exhibition From Warhol to Banksy (on view until April 27, 2025) at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, and is held in numerous private, corporate, and public collections, including the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, the Alberta Art Foundation, Nordstrom, and Shell Canada. He holds an MFA in Studio Art from the University of Victoria, where he currently teaches drawing and painting. Lambeth lives and works on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples.

Todd Lambeth CV

Available Work