Retro Video Game Aesthetics? No, It's Alex Colville's Art!

Alex Colville: The Canadian Artist Whose Paintings Look Like Retro Video Games Canadian artist Alex Colville's unique artistic style is gaining renewed attention for its uncanny resemblance to the pixelated graphics of early video games. His paintings, often featuring stark lighting and a lack of detailed shadows, create a surprisingly familiar aesthetic for those who grew up playing classic games. This is particularly evident in his iconic work, "To Prince Edward Island," which features a woman on a ship using binoculars. The simplicity of the scene, combined with the distinct lighting, evokes the look of a scene from a vintage video game. "It's not just the subject matter, but the way he uses light and shadow that makes his paintings look almost like a screenshot from an old game," says Marisa, a TikTok creator who recently brought Colville's work to a wider audience. "The way everything is evenly lit, with a lack of realistic shadows, creates a very flat, almost digital look." Colville's influence extends beyond the gaming world. His work has appeared in various pop culture settings, notably in Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom." This cross-pollination of artistic styles highlights Colville's enduring impact and his unexpected connection to the digital age. The video also showcases other paintings like the 1954's Horse and Train, and the 1958's Swimming Competition, and 1976's Dog on a Bridge. His use of acrylic on masonite and precise geometry, where tiny dabs of paint were meticulously applied dot by dot, further adds to the unique visual appeal of his work. Colville's artistic legacy continues to resonate, reminding us that art and technology can find unexpected points of intersection.