Mapping Imagination: Carl Wiens exhibition at the QAC Gallery Carto / Topo / Geo / Graphic

Belleville-based artist and illustrator Carl Wiens has built a dynamic and evolving creative practice over a career spanning more than 30 years. Known for his thoughtful integration of collage, screen printing, painting, pattern, and woodworking, Wiens creates work grounded in strong conceptual thinking and refined design. His artistic voice is both analytical and imaginative, reflecting a lifelong curiosity about the natural world, science, and systems of visual communication.

Wiens’ career began in the world of conceptual illustration, where he developed a distinctive style that has been featured in major international publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Barron’s, and Esquire. His ability to translate complex ideas into compelling visual narratives has earned him recognition from leading industry organizations such as the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, 3×3 Magazine, and the Applied Arts Awards.

Alongside his editorial work, Wiens has made significant contributions to children’s publishing. His illustrated books, Wild Buildings and Bridges and The Science of Song: How and Why We Make Music (written by Alan Cross and published by Kids Can Press), reflect his fascination with the intersection of science, nature, and design. These works invite young readers to explore how the world functions, blending education with visual storytelling.

In recent years, Wiens has increasingly focused on gallery-based work, exploring materiality and process through mixed media. His latest exhibition, Carto / Topo / Geo / Graphic: Rediscovering Lost Maps, presented at the Quinte Arts Council Cultural Hub and Gallery in April 2026, marks a significant new direction. This body of work is the culmination of a year spent collecting, cutting, layering, and reimagining vintage maps and atlases. Through intricate collage, Wiens transforms these historical materials into contemporary compositions that speak to memory, geography, and the human impulse to map and understand the world. In his hands, maps become both medium and metaphor—charting imagined landscapes as much as physical ones.

“This exhibition started out small, using found objects and materials in the studio. I’ve always loved old maps and atlases and began the process by deconstructing and rearranging them. The first series utilized topographic maps passed on by my father-in-law, reclaimed fir plywood pieces from my father’s workshop, framed with offcuts of teakwood from the studio of printmaker Peter Mennacher. This was the Planetary series. Then I decided to expand, to see if I could make hexagon-shaped frames for the Terrestrial/Celestial series.” says Wiens, he adds – “People I talk to about this work usually tell me about an old family atlas, a collection of topo maps or how much they just love poring over old maps. Maps are a remarkable resource to work with, and I still have plenty of ideas to work through, so many possibilities.”

Teaching remains an important part of Wiens’ practice. As an instructor of science and technology-based illustration at Sheridan College, he mentors emerging artists while continuing to explore his own interests through collaborative learning. His “citizen scientist” approach encourages students to engage deeply with both observation and community.

Rooted in Belleville, Wiens draws ongoing inspiration from the Bay of Quinte region. Whether cycling, kayaking, hiking, or observing birds and insects, his connection to the natural environment continues to inform and energize his work, resulting in art that is both intellectually rich and visually engaging.

The Quinte Arts Council invites the public to experience Carto / Topo / Geo / Graphic: Rediscovering Lost Maps, a captivating new exhibition by artist and illustrator Carl Wiens.  QAC Gallery is located at 36 Bridge St. E. Belleville.

Opening Reception: April 2 | 4–6 PM

Exhibition Dates: April 2 – April 30