Imagination Unbound: The Surreal Worlds of Stephen Gibb

A Calling from the Start

For Stephen Gibb, the path to becoming an artist was unmistakably clear from a young age. While many artists speak of a gradual realization, Gibb’s sense of identity as an artist was already firmly in place during early childhood.

“When I was in grade 2 or 3, I would draw things in art class and my classmates would ask me, ‘Do you want to be an artist when you grow up?’ and I would say, ‘I am already.’”

That early confidence continues to inform his practice today. Gibb’s work is deeply rooted in personal conviction; a reflection of an artistic voice that has never questioned its place.

Embracing a Distinctive Style

Stephen Gibb’s distinct visual language; marked by surrealism and narrative intricacy; has been with him since the beginning, gradually taking shape over time. “I’d say my entire life it has been slowly evolving,” Gibb shares. “And it has become something I’ve learned to stop fighting against and really embrace in the past 15 years or so.”

This shift toward full acceptance of his unique aesthetic has marked a significant period of creative clarity. Rather than resisting the direction of his work, Gibb has leaned into it; allowing his style to sharpen, deepen, and fully take form.

Visualizing the Abstract

At the heart of Stephen Gibb’s work is a deep desire to translate complex, abstract thoughts into a visual language. His paintings act as a narrative vessel; a way of giving form to ideas that don’t always fit within the boundaries of traditional expression.

“Abstract ideas and thoughts can only be shared if they take some kind of external form, whether it’s spoken word, written word or visually with art,” Gibb explains. “I needed a narrative format that could bring my inner thoughts into a visual approximation of what was going on in my head.”

Symbols, surreal scenarios, and dreamlike sequences allow him to encode meaning into his compositions. The result is work that is highly personal, yet intentionally open-ended; inviting viewers to interpret each piece in their own way.

“What I saw in artists like Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Hieronymus Bosch and Salvador Dali liberated me,” he shares, “and gave me permission to make art that didn’t conform to rigid visual logic or the need to mimic reality aside from that inside the imagination.”

This embrace of imaginative freedom is central to Gibb’s practice, allowing his work to evolve unrestricted by traditional visual logic, with the imagination as his sole guide.

Fearless Evolution

Stephen Gibb’s creative journey continues to unfold with a growing sense of trust in his imagination. Over the years, he has learned to follow his instincts more freely, allowing ideas to emerge without overthinking or second-guessing.

“I think I have become more fearless,” Gibb shares. “I’m not afraid to embrace whatever I imagine, and whatever pops into my head tends to be better than something laboured over.”

This shift has allowed Gibb to explore his work in a more unrestricted way, embracing the opportunity to play with visual forms, figurative elements, and representational content. His process is no longer confined by rigid boundaries, creating a space for his ideas to flourish naturally.

“Over time I have become more adept with the craft, yet more sophisticated with the presentation and content,” he notes. “It feels like an incremental evolution, like waves eroding the beach. It happens but you don’t see it unless you compare it to the past.”

Looking ahead, Gibb remains open to where his creative exploration will take him. “Who knows where I’ll end up?” he says, capturing the essence of an artist who is never done evolving.

Layers of Meaning

Stephen Gibb’s work invites viewers to look deeper, offering a rich experience that rewards discovery. While some of the finer details may go unnoticed at first glance, it’s this very process of uncovering hidden layers that makes his pieces engaging and thought-provoking.

“I’m sure things get overlooked,” Gibb admits, “but there is a richness in the active process of discovery.”

His work often includes subtle elements; whether they are physically present but just out of sight or woven into wordplay and conceptual nuances. These hidden aspects challenge the viewer, encouraging a deeper level of interaction.

“I like the idea of challenging the viewer with little games and surprises; acknowledging the genius of the audience,” Gibb explains. “I feel like my artwork embodies a level of complexity that is in tune with my intention; playful, yet earnest.”

Rather than relying solely on beauty or the ability to evoke a particular mood, Gibb’s art is more engineered, layered with intention and intricate detail that offers new revelations with each viewing.

Unexpected Interpretations

Stephen Gibb finds deep satisfaction in the ways viewers interpret his work, especially when those interpretations surprise or intrigue him. For Gibb, this is one of the most exciting aspects of art; its ability to transcend the artist’s original intention and take on unique meanings for each individual.

“I love it when people see something I never considered,” he says. “That is the beauty and transcendence of art!”

By incorporating familiar, recognizable imagery into his pieces, Gibb leaves ample room for personal interpretation. A simple object, like an apple, can take on many different meanings depending on the viewer's perspective.

“To some, an apple may have religious connotations, like Adam and Eve. To others, it might evoke sweet fruit, apple brand technology, William Tell, Snow White, or even childhood memories like grandma’s apple pie. Maybe someone has a negative association;  perhaps a rotten apple was thrown at them in childhood. We bring all the baggage of our lives to what we observe.”

In this way, Gibb’s work invites viewers to process their personal experiences through the lens of his art. For him, there is no wrong way to interpret a piece, which only deepens the connection between the artwork and its audience.

The Emotional and Intellectual Connection Stephen Gibb Hopes to Inspire

For Stephen Gibb, creating art isn’t about forcing a singular experience on the viewer. In fact, he admits, "It would be nice if everyone thought like me and life would be so much easier, but alas, that would be boring haha."

He knows that each viewer brings their own unique perspective and way of interacting with the world. So, instead of trying to predict what someone will feel, Gibb focuses on offering a space for contemplation. “The least I can hope for,” he says, “is the prospect of inducing some form of contemplation or meditation from the physical experience of viewing my work and the resulting thoughts it may stimulate.”

Gibb recognizes that not everyone will connect with his art, and that’s perfectly okay. “Some people connect, and others don’t,” he says. It’s about opening up the possibility for personal reflection, and leaving room for each viewer to interpret his work in their own way.

What Makes Stephen Gibb's Work Distinct in the Art World

Stephen Gibb’s work stands out in the art world not just because of its visual appeal, but because of the deeply thoughtful and conceptual approach he brings to it. “I don’t think there are many artists who create artwork directly from the imagination, invest it with critical thinking and conceptual substance, map it out in a compelling geometry, imbue it with a dynamic colour scheme while tapping into the repertoire of the collective conscious found in comics, nursery rhymes, fables, cartoons, psychology, physics and language;  and then, manifest it in oil paint,” he says.

Stephen Gibb’s work stands out for its ability to blend imaginative freedom with careful structure and meaning. While he’s not alone in working this way, the clarity of his vision, paired with his technical skill and layered ideas, makes his approach feel genuinely distinct.

What Stephen Gibb Hopes Viewers Take Away

Stephen Gibb isn’t concerned with adding to the art world’s noise. His focus isn’t on being relevant or chasing trends. What he wants is simple: a reaction.

“I want the viewer to have a response, something immediate,” he says. “I love when people laugh at the art; it means they got something right away.”

But it’s not just about that instant reaction. Gibb puts a lot of thought into his work, carefully considering his three Cs; content, colour, and composition. His goal is to leave a lasting impression, something that lingers after the initial moment. “I hope there’s a visceral or cognitive sensation,” he shares.

Gibb’s true hope is that his work sticks with the viewer, sparking their inner dialogue long after they’ve left the piece behind. “Once they’ve seen the piece, I want there to be a spark, something that gets them thinking,” he explains.

Ultimately, he wants his work to become part of their visual vocabulary. “I want them to think, ‘this reminds me of that Stephen Gibb painting,’ when they see something else that carries a similar sensibility or feeling,” he says.

For collectors, this connection is often even more powerful. “Once they’ve internalized the work,” Gibb adds, “they’re not going to want to part with it.”

Stephen Gibb’s available works are now offered through Moné Gallery. View his available paintings and acquire a piece while they remain on offer.