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October 10, 2013
Autumn is the artworld’s peak performance period–here are a trio of shows I visited recently:
Over the weekend I had a chance to head up to North Bay to visit a couple of shows. Two artists included in the Wiki Show over the summer at Station Gallery were on display. On Saturday, Susan Farquhar’s show “Northern Currents” opened at the Joan Ferneyhough Gallery. Her richly textured works depict a Boreal beauty of another time. Originally from North Bay, Susan’s show fittingly celebrates her homecoming to the “Gateway to the North.” It was terrific revisiting works that were in the Wiki mix and seeing Susan’s creative process in her broader studio practice.
Erin Finley’s solo show was winding down at Line Gallery. Here too were some of Erin’s offerings from the Wiki Show, plus some intricate newer pieces. Finley’s finely-crafted figurative works pack quite a punch. I enjoy the push and pull of Erin’s subject matter–it simultaneously attracts and repels the viewer. Her illustrative drawings and mannerist distortions are flexible, even pliant. Anything can happen on her paper.
David Blackwood’s “Revelation” recently opened at Abbozzo Gallery at Toronto’s 401 Richmond complex. The artist was present at yesterday’s packed reception. This show adds new dimension and breadth to the understanding of Blackwood’s creative output. Widely known for his masterful printmaking, this show expands beyond serial production to include constructions with encaustic flourishes, paintings, drawings and watercolours. “Revelation” is a complex essay weaving Blackwood’s sustained motifs such as Ephraim Kelloway’s door, Maritime lore and nautical symbolism into a cohesive whole. Show continues until November 2 — not to be missed. Happy Thanksgiving!
David Blackwood and O
February 27, 2010
Just as the Olympic torch was passed in Durham a few weeks back, so too will another torch pass on in the community. This evening will mark Richard Toms’s “Freedom 45” retirement party from the VAC (Visual Arts Centre) in Bowmanville as James Campbell takes on the Executive Directorship. Richard has made a significant and long-lasting impression on the arts in Durham. We are fortunate that this is where Richard burnished his expertise and know-how. He has been energetically involved in the Durham arts community for over twenty years. His expertise touched many facets in the area including visual arts instructor, print-shop technician, education co-ordinator, and of course the Executive Director of the Visual Arts Centre in Bowmanville since 2001. It’s true that he treated these responsibilities as an artform—with sustained concentration, robust engagement, levity and lots of good-humour. But his true passion and acumen lays in his own studio production. Relocating to Prince Edward Island, Richard will now strictly concentrate on his business and fine art pursuits. In the coming months Richard and his wife Stacey will be opening a sweet shop and art gallery in Georgetown, PEI called The Maroon Pig.
For many years, he was a great friend and resource to us at Station Gallery—whenever we had questions about the printmaking process, Mr. Toms was the expert. Richard has kindly donated an outstanding print to Station Gallery’s upcoming Drawing for Art fundraiser. I won’t be the only one who will have eyes for Richard’s lithograph on April 29th. We wish you happy trails and all the best with your new beginnings on the Island. Bon Voyage, Richard and Stacey!
July 6, 2009
Station Gallery has recently revived its N. Novak Print Studio. This is an exciting move, since this box car studio was once a locus of printmaking experimentation and production for decades. It was after all, one of the hallmarks which set the Station apart from other public galleries. This made us unique—and it now continues to do so. The studio played host to many preeminent printmakers such as Otis Tamasauskas, Anne Meredith Barry, Don Holman, Richard Toms and many others.
Artist Todd Tremeer works on his latest print in the Nicolas Novak Print Studio at Station Gallery.
I believe that the momentum of the Print Studio will continue as we enter the mid-point of the First Phase of the print studio revival. I’m very hopeful that the studio will attract many artists and that this will be a creative hub of a printmaking renaissance in the region. Traction is what we need now that the print studio is back on track.
July 3, 2009
The University of Toronto Art Centre is currently hosting an exhibition titled Sense of Place. Having visited the exhibition last Friday, July 3rd I found the show a peripatetic survey of contemporary printmaking. It would seem that the medium is alive and kicking in Canada and Michigan. This cross-border survey gave audiences an opportunity to absorb the scope of print technologies. I was delighted to see Dan Steeves’s print (free to ignore moments of restlessness in the mind) of the evacuated void in the place of domicile. This 2006 work was also featured along with other works in a show called Tantramar Gothic.
Other highlights were Libby Hague’s work Everything Needs Everything: Rehearsal for Disaster. In looking up Hague’s title in the accompanying catalogue, I see that her piece was awarded Second Place. My initial response was “Congrats, Libby!” but then I wasn’t aware that this show was a juried exhibition. This adds a problematic layer to an exhibition which seemed to be a themed meditation on the vagaries of place. Adding the competitive and adjudicated layer certainly complicates a show whose intent was to present selected artists in a open forum of discussions surrounding the print medium.
I always enjoy to hearing of N.E. Thing Co. co-founder, the artist formally known as Ian Baxter. He has recently legally changed his name to IANBAXTER& (the ampersand is emphasized!). I’m not really sure how he is associated with the printed medium, exactly, but his inclusion in the project calls for more thought. I don’t know where to start first, conceptualizing the ampersand in his name or his relation vis-a-vis the printmakers in the show… I guess the word “and” prompts an entire series of inquiry.
curator by day 