8th Annual Art Show

art.less fabric.a.tions exhibit

I’ve just finished unpacking my pieces since returning from the 8th annual Perspective Art Group show and sale in Kerrobert, where I was the invited guest artist and exhibited my body of work entitled art.less fabric.a.tions.

The Perspectives Art Group consists of a talented group of ten women artists producing incredible works in pottery, photography, sculpture, and all paint mediums. This was a two day event, with all artists in attendance, and opened with a gala evening on Saturday, June 6, featuring musical performances by concert pianist Marylou Dawes and two musical sets by The Barnyard Bluegrass Band from Alberta. Complimenting the art and music was an amazing buffet of artistic appetizers, a wine bar, barista service of gourmet coffees, and art souvenirs for sale by 1950’s style ‘cigarette girls’. According to the group, each year sees greater attendance and this year’s show was no exception, with a record breaking crowd. The second day of the show is promoted as a Sunday Coffee Party and has a much more informal atmosphere, similar to an open house event. Visitors were invited to browse the gallery spaces, chat with the artists, and attend the artist talk presented by myself, and the digital art workshop presented by Bev Ully.

I felt honored to be invited as this year’s featured guest artist and was thrilled to be able to show my art.less fabric.a.tions series alongside the work of this extremely talented group. The space at the Prairieland Community Centre was large enough to accomodate a circular configuration of the art supports, creating an intimate cocoon-like space that viewers could enter. The 52 pieces were all hung at eye-level in a timeline and could be viewed, as the artist intended, by slowly walking in a clockwise motion around the circle. I consider the circle a personal sacred symbol and have used it throughout this series of works, and therefore felt the presentation of the artwork, in this unique wheel formation, reinforced this symbology and created a very spiritual space in which to hold my artist talk.

I would like to share with you an excerpt from my sketchbook journal, written during the artless fabrications journey:

“Reflections – what is the theme of my own work? I am concerned that there doesn’t seem to be a connecting thread from one piece to another. Perhaps I should look to other artist’s work for signs of connection or continuity. Or perhaps my current theme is ‘search and discovery’ like an explorer , pioneer, or… maverick. Perhaps the connection doesn’t lie between the individual pieces but through me as the hub, with the work as the spokes, all attached at the center. I do feel very connected to my work, both physically and emotionally, and maybe that’s all that really matters.”

Thank you to the Perspectives Art Group, and especially to Fran, for helping me bring artless fabrications full circle!