You Can Never Go Home Again was first proposed in 2022 as a response to the rapid rise in housing costs, followed by the unprecedented rate hikes that attempted to correct them. Many of those early 5-year low-rate mortgages are now resetting into much higher payments. The project reflects on the roots of British Columbia’s housing crisis through my own experience of growing up in an economically challenged environment in Chilliwack during the late 1970s. It explores how working-class families, like mine, faced the pressures of an inflationary recession (stagflation), leading to difficult choices about relocation and employment.
I approached this work through a series of paintings informed by site visits, family archives, memory, and historical records—each tied to places we once called home. My goal is to contextualize the cyclical nature of real estate markets; particularly how inflationary monetary policies often culminate in affordability crises.
Alongside my practice as an artist and educator, I bring 25 years of experience as a real estate investor and a background in the financial industry as a lender, including working with mortgage applications. By combining personal history with professional experience, I aim to spark dialogue about our current housing challenges and highlight their multifaceted nature.
In 2025, I revisited the data and revised the paintings to create a more cohesive exhibition, presenting both the original and updated data as a point of contrast.
Christopher Friesen- 2025
Mortgage affordability 2025- Sold for $1,237,500 2025 Assessed at $991,000
2025 sales price $1,237,500
20% downpayment is $247,500
Amount to be mortgaged $990,000
5-year fixed posted 4.74% 30-year amortization payment $5131. monthly payment
3-years fixed 4.19% 30-year amortization payment $4,815.00 monthly payment
Stress test qualifications are 2% on the rate so 6.19% on the 3-year term $6007.00
GDS includes mortgage principal and interest, taxes, heat basically anything associated with operating the property. Current ratio I will be using is 39% GDS and 45% TDS
I will assume a 2% inflation on both insurance and taxes based on my previous numbers gives us $4,387.61 property taxes and $3,120 insurance. I will keep heat at $100 per month.
$6,007.00 +365+100 = $6,472 per month stress test 39 GDS. $16,594 per monthly income with an annual income of $ 199,104 to qualify to purchase this home.
According to the most recent data, average household income in British Columbia is $108,600.00
Note Legal Fees are now $1500.00
Property Transfer Tax 1% on the first $200,000.00 and 2% on the rest: $ 22,740
Mortgage affordability 2025
2024 BC appraisals $1,154,000
20% downpayment is $230,800
Amount to be mortgaged $923,200
5year fixed posted 4.74% 30-year amortization payment $4785. monthly payment
3year fixed 4.19% 30-year amortization payment $4490. monthly payment
Stress test qualifications is 2% on the rate so 6.19% on the 3year term $5601
GDS includes mortgage principal and interest, taxes, heat basically anything associated with operating the property. Current ratio I will be using is 39% GDS and 45% TDS
I will assume a 2% inflation on both insurance and taxes based on my previous numbers gives us $4,095.42 property taxes and $3,245 insurance. I will keep heat at $100 per month.
$5601+341+100 = $6,042 per month stress test 39 GDS. $15492 per monthly income with an annual income of $185,904.00 to qualify to purchase this home.
According to the most recent data, average household income in British Columbia is $108,600.00
Note Legal Fees are now $1500.00
Property Transfer Tax 1% on the first $200,000.00 and 2% on the rest:
Mortgage affordability 2025
2024 BC appraisals $770,000
20% downpayment is $ 154,000
Amount to be mortgaged $616,000
5year fixed posted 4.74% 30-year amortization payment $3,193. monthly payment
3year fixed 4.19% 30-year amortization payment $2,996. monthly payment
Stress test qualifications is 2% on the rate so 6.19% on the 3-year term $3,738
GDS includes mortgage principal and interest, taxes, heat basically anything associated with operating the property. Current ratio I will be using is 39% GDS and 45% TDS
I will assume a 2% inflation on both insurance and taxes based on my previous numbers gives us $3,176.96 property taxes and $3120 insurance. I will keep heat at $100 per month.
$3,738+265+100 = $ 4,103 per month stress test 39 GDS. $10,520 per monthly income with an annual income of $126,240 to qualify to purchase this home.
According to the most recent data, average household income in British Columbia is $108,600.00
Note Legal Fees are now $1500.00
Property Transfer Tax 1% on the first $200,000.00 and 2% on the rest: $13,400.00
Mortgage affordability 2025
2024 BC appraisals $139,300
20% downpayment is $27,860
Amount to be mortgaged $ 111,440
5year fixed posted 4.74% 30-year amortization payment $578. monthly payment
3year fixed 4.19% 30-year amortization payment $542. monthly payment
Stress test qualifications is 2% on the rate so 6.19% on the 3year term $676
GDS includes mortgage principal and interest, taxes, heat basically anything associated with operating the property. Current ratio I will be using is 39% GDS and 45% TDS
I will assume a 2% inflation on both insurance and taxes based on my previous numbers gives us $2,080 property taxes and N/A insurance. I will keep heat at $100 per month.
$676+173+100 = $949 per month stress test 39 GDS. $2433 per monthly income with an annual income of $29,196 to qualify to purchase this home.
According to the most recent data, average household income in British Columbia is $108,600.00
Note Legal Fees are now $1,500.00
Property Transfer Tax 1% on the first $200,000.00 and 2% on the rest: $1,393.00
Fun Fact: minimum wage in BC is $17.85 meaning a fulltime job would pay you $ 37,128 the yearly income required to purchase this property is $29,196. So, in theory which does not actually exist for this scenario it would be possible to purchase this property, however the financing would not be conventional and would require a significant downpayment for someone making minimum wage.
Mortgage affordability 2025
2024 BC appraisals $188,900
20% downpayment is $37,780
Amount to be mortgaged $151,120
5year fixed posted 4.74% 30-year amortization payment $783. monthly payment
3year fixed 4.19% 30-year amortization payment $735. monthly payment
Stress test qualifications is 2% on the rate so 6.19% on the 3year term $917
GDS includes mortgage principal and interest, taxes, heat basically anything associated with operating the property. Current ratio I will be using is 39% GDS and 45% TDS
I will assume a 2% inflation on both insurance and taxes based on my previous numbers, which gives us $2,080 property taxes and N/A insurance. I will keep heat at $100 per month.
$676+173+100 = $949 per month stress test 39 GDS. $2433 per monthly income with an annual income of $29,196 to qualify to purchase this home.
According to the most recent data, average household income in British Columbia is $108,600.00
Note Legal Fees are now $1500.00
Property Transfer Tax 1% on the first $200,000.00 and 2% on the rest:
Fun Fact: minimum wage in BC is $17.85 meaning a fulltime job would pay you $ 37,128 the yearly income required to purchase this property is $29,196. So, in theory which does not actually exist for this scenario it would be possible to purchase this property, however the financing would not be conventional and would require a significant downpayment for someone making minimum wage.
Fun Fact, you could afford this house working a full-time minimum wage job!
Mortgage affordability 2025
2024 BC appraisals $1,073,000
20% downpayment is $ 214,600
Amount to be mortgaged $ 858,400
5-year fixed posted 4.74% 30-year amortization payment $4449. monthly payment
3-year fixed 4.19% 30-year amortization payment $4175. monthly payment
Stress test qualifications is 2% on the rate so 6.19% on the 3year term $5208
GDS includes mortgage principal and interest, taxes, heat basically anything associated with operating the property. Current ratio I will be using is 39% GDS and 45% TDS
I will assume a 2% inflation rate on both insurance and taxes based on my previous numbers gives us $4,675.74 property taxes and $3,120 insurance. I will keep heat at $100 per month.
$4675+260+100 = $5,035 per month stress test 39 GDS. $12,910 per monthly income with an annual income of $154,920 to qualify to purchase this home.
According to the most recent data, average household income in British Columbia is $108,600.00
Note Legal Fees are now $1500.00
Property Transfer Tax 1% on the first $200,000.00 and 2% on the rest: $18,146
Mortgage affordability 2025
2024 BC appraisals $1,128,000
20% downpayment is $225,600
Amount to be mortgaged $902,400
5-year fixed posted 4.74% 30-year amortization payment $4677. monthly payment
3-year fixed 4.19% 30-year amortization payment $4389. monthly payment
Stress test qualifications is 2% on the rate so 6.19% on the 3-year term $5475.00
GDS includes mortgage principal and interest, taxes, heat basically anything associated with operating the property. Current ratio I will be using is 39% GDS and 45% TDS
I will assume a 2% inflation rate on both insurance and taxes based on my previous numbers gives us $4,675.74 property taxes and $3,120 insurance. I will keep heat at $100 per month.
$5475+389.64+100 = $ 5,964.64 per month stress test 39 GDS. $15,293 per monthly income with an annual income of $ 183,516 to qualify to purchase this home.
According to the most recent data, average household income in British Columbia is $108,600.00
Note Legal Fees are now $1500.00
Property Transfer Tax 1% on the first $200,000.00 and 2% on the rest: $ 20,560
24x48, acrylic and oil on canvas, 2025
30x48,acrylic and oil on canvas, 2025
24x48, acrylic and oil on canvas, 2025
24x30, acrylic and oil on canvas, 2025
30x48 oil and acrylic wash on canvas, 2024
36x36, oil on canvas. 2024
40 x 60, oil on canvas 2024
30x40, oil on canvas. 2024
40x60 oil and acrylic wash on canvas, 2024
36x36 oil and acrylic wash on canvas, 2024
48x60 oil and acrylic wash on canvas, 2024
40x60 oil and acrylic wash on canvas, 2024
40x60 oil and acrylic wash on canvas, 2024
36x48, Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
24x36 Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
30x40 Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
40x60, Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
36x48 Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
36x48 Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
36x60 Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
36x48 Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
18x36 Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
18x36 Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
36x48, Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
36x48, Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
30x40, Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
36x48, Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
24x30, Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
30x40, Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2023
24x30,Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2022
18x24, oil on canvas, 2022
24x30,Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2022
36x48, Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2022
24x30,Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2022
18x24, Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2022
38x46.75, Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2022
24x30,Acrylic wash, oil on canvas, 2022
11”x14” oil, acrylic wash on canvas, 2021
“The fictions of ʻmasterʼ and ʻcopyʼ are now so entwined with each other that it is impossible to say where one begins and the other ends.”
- Douglas Davis, The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction, 1995
In this recent series of paintings Christopher Friesen uses iconic works by French master JeanBaptiste---CamilleCorot (1796 – 1875) to explore legacies of modern painting and to consider notions of influence, quotation, authorship, and the “real” in the age of digital reproduction.
Corot is remembered most for his landscape paintings. Highly influential, his late style is often considered a forerunner to Impressionism and there is little doubt of his profound influence on modern painting. Corot was prolific in his output, and his work has also been copied and forged perhaps more than any other artist in history. Friesen uses the preponderance of Corot’s imagery to engage with notions of visuality and questions of pictorial fidelity, particularly where these ideas intersect with the digital.
Rather than adhering to Corot’s work with close stylistic accuracy, Friesen chooses large-scale canvases, favours a loose application of paint and bold palette, and accentuates the flatness of the painting’s surface. Though he sets out to create a series that is remarkably dissimilar to Corot when experienced in person, Friesen has ensured that the resulting paintings bear enough of a resemblance to the originals that these distinctions are significantly curtailed when mediated through a digital device.
As the title of the exhibition suggests, algorithms used in online image searches are fundamental to Friesen’s larger project. The artist deliberately appropriates Corot’s original titles for his own works, thereby eliminating any hierarchy that exists online that would separate original from copy. A simple Google image search produces myriad and varied versions of paintings bearing these names. The innocent online researcher could easily be lost in a thicket of images within which no frame of reference for the “real” is apparent.
Friesen’s willing engagement with digital phenomena draws attention to the changing means through which works of art are reproduced, circulated, and consumed. At a time when we are just as likely to encounter a work of art online as in person, Friesen’s project asks what the nature of this encounter ought to be, and whether the future of art is in galleries or on screens.
Laura Schneider, Curator
64” x 48”, Oil, Acrylic Wash on canvas, 2018.
48” x 72”, Oil, Acrylic wash on canvas, 2017
41.5” x 59.5”, Oil, Acrylic wash on canvas, 2017
70” x 42.5”, Oil, Acrylic Wash on Canvas, 2017.
42.25” x 70”, Oil, Acrylic wash on canvas, 2017
45.5” x 70”, Oil, Acrylic wash on canvas, 2017
48” x 63”, Oil, Acrylic wash on canvas, 2016
52” x 66.5”, Oil, Acrylic wash on canvas, 2016
Titled “Silvery Tones” these oil on canvas paintings are a contemporary look at the pre-impressionist painter Camille Corot.
Friesen became interested in Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot while visiting the Frick collection in New York for the first time. The piece that intrigued him was “The Lake”, a large scale landscape Corot painted in 1861. This period of Corot’s work resonates with how Friesen sees painting operating today, the traces of creation with an obvious brushstroke produced at essentially a human scale.
Friesen writes “I see this work as being produced in a transitional period where there are obvious impressionistic devices, such as vibrant flecks of paint applied to a style still rooted in the safety of tradition. The pictoral devices Corot uses allows abstract licks of paint to exist in a structured environment that push and pull our notions of what painting is and what painting has the potential to do. ‘Silvery Tones’ is an investigation into how we understand that process in a contemporary way.”
48” x 63”, Oil, Acrylic wash on canvas, 2016
49” x 74.25”, Oil on canvas, 2016
47” x 66.5”, Oil on Canvas, 2016
52” x 66.5”, Oil on canvas, 2016
36” x 48”, Oil on canvas, 2016
44” x 35”, Oil on canvas, 2016
48.5” x 63.5”, Oil on canvas, 2016
30” x 24”, Oil on canvas, 2016
24”x30”, Oil on Canvas, 2016.
48” x 60”, Oil on canvas, 2016
“A digital artifact is any undesired alteration in data introduced in a digital process by an involved technique and/or technology.”
This exhibition is a dialogue between the past and the present, with painting and printmaking conflating these two notions about what is a modern artifact.
80x52, Acrylic on canvas, 2012
60x41, Acrylic on canvas, 2012
28x22, Five screen cymk process and gesso on paper, 2012
28x22, Five screen cymk process and gesso on panel, 2012
24x36, Acrylic on Canvas, 2012
24x36, Acrylic on canvas, 2012
24x36, Acrylic on canvas, 2012
28x22, Five Screen cymk process and gesso on paper, 2012
28x22, Five Screen cymk process and gesso on paper, 2012
28x22, Five Screen cymk process and gesso on paper, 2012
28x22, Five Screen cymk process and gesso on paper, 2012
28x22, Five Screen cymk process and gesso on paper, 2012
28x22, Five Screen cymk process and gesso on paper, 2012
28x22, Five Screen cymk process and gesso on paper, 2012
28x22, Five Screen cymk process and gesso on paper, 2012
14”x20”, oil and acrylic wash on canvas, 2018.
13.75”x19.75”, oil and acrylic wash on canvas, 2018.
69” x 45”, Oil and Acrylic Wash on Canvas, 2018.
67”x46”, Oil and Acrylic Wash on Canvas, 2018.
48”x60”, Oil, Acrylic Wash on Canvas, 2018.
30”x24”, Oil, Acrylic Wash on Canvas, 2018.
48”x36”, Oil, Acrylic Wash on Canvas, 2017.
30”x24”, Oil and Acrylic Wash on Canvas, 2018.
30”x24”, Oil and Acrylic Wash on Canvas, 2017.
24”x30”, Oil on Canvas, 2016.
24”x30”, Oil on Canvas, 2016.
24”x30”, Oil on Canvas, 2016.
24”x30”, Oil on Canvas, 2016.
