FIVE GALLERIES TO VISIT
Local and national visual artists share their unique world interpretations through various media in galleries around Saskatoon. Exhibitions this month include works in sculpture, painting, photography, video, augmented reality and performance. Jocelyn Bennett highlights five local galleries with shows running this month: 1. THE GALLERY AT FRANCES MORRISON CENTRAL LIBRARY
The Gallery at Frances Morrison Central Library presents A Journey through Mapping Nature's Colours: Researching Canadian Plants that Gift Their Image through Botanical Printing, by Canadian artist Bonny Macnab, until March 14.
In researching botanical printing, Macnab found a deeper connection to the land and an emotional link through sense memory. This research led to a unique blend of science, soil, environment and artistry in her work.
“My work is inspired by many women like Maibe Maroccolo of Brazil (mapping colour in her country), India Flint (eco-colour), as well as Carol Snyder. Most importantly, I am inspired by my grandmother, an unknown artist born in the early 1920s, who inspired my sense of curiosity and ability to explore and create,” Macnab said.
The Gallery is located on the second floor of the library on 23rd Street West. A closing reception is March 14, 6-8 p.m. Information is available at saskatoonlibrary.ca.
2. THE GALLERY/ART PLACEMENT INC.
The Gallery/art Placement
Inc. presents Spring Cleaning, featuring works by the staff and sessional lecturers in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Saskatchewan, until March 16.
Artists include Joseph Anderson, Steve Bates, Terry Billings, Patrick Bulas, Ann Donald, Jasmin Fookes, Jesse Fulcher Gagnon, Xiao Han, Clint Hunker, Shelby Lund, Todd Lyons, Grant Mcconnell, Barbara Reimer, Frances Robson, Jordan Schwab, Jacob Semko, Laura St. Pierre, and Shawn Zheng.
“Spring Cleaning is the 16th group exhibition by staff and sessional instructors working in the U of S Art & Art History Department. The incredible artwork displayed at The Gallery/ Art Placement Inc. highlights the exceptional talent and dedication of these artists and educators,” exhibition co-ordinator Patrick Bulas said.
The Gallery/art Placement Inc. is located at 238 Third Avenue South. Information at artplacement.com.
3. PAVED ARTS
Cardboard Coo-coo by Andrei Feheregyhazi runs at PAVED Arts March 15 to April 20.
Through a series of cardboard clocks looking into the daily life of a robot, the interactive augmented reality exhibition aims to inspire a sense of exploration, discovery and adventure within the viewer. Experiences can be personalized based on how a viewer approaches each section.
“We are very excited about staging this solo exhibition of Andrei Feheregyhazi's augmented reality artwork. Not only is Andrei a popular artist who lives and works in Saskatoon, but his work is engaging and somewhat magical for people of every age. Aptly entitled `Cardboard Coo-coo,' the artwork spans our shared window, gallery and billboard spaces, springing to life at various points with playful animations. It's bound to be a showstopper,” artistic director David Lariviere said.
PAVED Arts is located at 424 20th Street West. Information is available at pavedarts.ca.
4. GALLERY ON THE GREENS
The Gallery on the Greens presents Ceramic Transformations until April 30.
The exhibition features sculptures by Aden Bowman Collegiate students that represent metamorphosis through vessel forms. Student artists include Connor Merson-davies, Charlie Briand, Danica Epp and Lucy Glyn-jones.
“There are endless possibilities when working with clay which is what I love about it. It gives you a chance to make your imagination part of reality,” Briand said.
“We were asked to create a piece that represented metamorphic vessels, which made me think about metamorphosis in the real world where humans and nature interact like we see in ancient ruins,” Epp added.
“(My) piece is really special to me as I put a lot of thought and effort into it. It represents a time in my life where I went through a lot of growth,” Merson-davies said.
The Gallery on the Greens is located in Market Mall, 2325 Preston Avenue. Information is available at moniqueart.com.
5. REMAI MODERN
Remai Modern features Other Arrangements: Poetics of the Performance Score until Sept. 22 in the Feature Gallery.
Artists created new works in response to the malleable form of the performance score, which has no defined rules. The range of artistic responses includes open-ended invitations, playful proposals and poetic appeals to the body and weather.
“The exhibition highlights the ways artists use performance scores to stretch the imagination, to invoke action and possibility. We are excited to work with local artists, dancers and musicians to bring these works to life, many being performed in Saskatoon for the first time,” curator of performance and public practice Troy Gronsdahl said.
Remai Modern is located at 102 Spadina Crescent East. Information is available at remaimodern.org.