Volume 9 • 2022 • Issue 2

Patron of the Arts Dr. Zenon Trylowsky didn’t think of himself as an art collector, though he buys contemporary art and often receives art as gifts from his patients who are artists. The walls of his downtown Vancouver dental practice are full of art, mostly local artists, many of them well known in local and national art circles. C urator, art historian and long-time friend Patrik Andersson suggested that Dr. Trylowsky show his art collection at the Griffin Art Projects, a gallery space in North Vancouver. Dr. Trylowsky brought together works from his office, his home and some that he kept in storage, and then he and Andersson went through a wide-range of paintings, video art, sculpture, and photographs to decide what to include in the exhibition, which ultimately was comprised of more than 80 pieces. “When I saw the art displayed in the gallery, with its high ceilings, white walls and perfect lighting, I thought, wow, I guess I’m officially an art collector,” says Dr. Trylowsky. A corner of the exhibition shows (L. to r.): “Arbor vitae” by Richard Attila Lukacs, untitled painting by Rodney Graham, and “Artist bar” by Rodney Graham. After earning his dental degree from the University of British Columbia in 1989, Dr. Trylowsky worked as an associate before he met Dr. Douglas Foster, who was looking for a younger dentist to work with him and eventually take over his practice. Drs. Trylowsky and Foster shared an interest in contemporary art. “He had good art on the walls in his office and many artists among his patients and friends,” says Dr. Trylowsky. When he bought the practice in 1996, Dr. Trylowsky continued the tradition. “Vancouver has a very vibrant and interesting art scene,” says Dr. Trylowsky. The exhibition of his collection, which was on display September through 30 | 2022 | Issue 2