Local conceptual artist Paul Lazes’s journey began at the age of seven, with a hand-drawn portrait of his father. His new retrospective exhibit, set to open on Sept. 20 at the Turpentine Gallery in West Tisbury, will guide viewers through all his artistic eras, starting with his first drawing and concluding with his current work.

Mr. Lazes has been showing his artwork on the Island for 25 years, primarily at the A Gallery. His Tough Chicks on the Vineyard photography installation consisting of six-foot-tall portraits of Island women is currently on display at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

For him, the label “conceptual artist” represents his desire to strike a harmonious balance between form and substance.

“It’s equally about the idea and the formal characteristics,” he said.

Mr. Lazes doesn’t restrict his craft to just one medium. He’s explored sculpture, photography, painting and drawing. Recently, he’s gravitated toward making upcycled art — abstract assemblages made of brightly hued cardboard scraps from Cronig’s Market.

While his oeuvre spans multiple subjects and mediums, Mr. Lazes said that the retrospective helped him discover that portraiture is the throughline connecting it all.

“It’s all about people,” he said.

Mr. Lazes hopes the exhibit will help his audience better understand his artistic evolution. At the same time, he welcomes the possibility of viewers’ bewilderment.

“I’m very curious to hear what people think about what they are seeing and whether or not it makes sense to them,” he said.

The Turpentine Gallery is located at 554 State Road, West Tisbury. The exhibition will run through mid-October.