Surface Tensions - Michèle LaRose
January 9 - February 20, 2015
Image: Belize, 2013; Artist: Michèle LaRose; Medium: Oil on Canvas
Michèle LaRose's abstract paintings play with spatial illusion and pattern. While presenting us with images that are in ambiguous space, she reminds us of Escher, as she confounds the viewer with contradictions and puzzles and plays with an intriguing mix of high colour and neutrals. She suggests that viewing abstract art, in general, presents many surface tensions as the observer tries to decipher the images or determine the meanings. She provides few clues. This challenge of making interesting non-representational work has kept her engaged for the last 15 years. She hopes viewers will be equally smitten. Learn more about Michèle LaRose.
Saints, Mermaids & Swine - Diane Black
January 9 - February 20, 2015
Image: Sometimes you’re riding a wave, sometimes a pig; Artist: Diane Black; Medium: clay, underglazes, encaustic wax
Diane Black's expressive clay figures appear whimsical on the surface though their tongues are often quite firmly planted in their cheeks. The surfaces belie a tension, a contradiction, or a narrative more closely attuned to the inner world of her characters (or perhaps the inner world of the viewers). In this collection, Diane explores life's subtle ironies through symbolic characters; mostly amusing, sometimes dark, always informed by real life. With her unique mixture of clay and wrought iron, Diane will convince you that what you see is not always what you get.
Art Battle #223
February 20, 2015
Friends of Marianne 1st Juried Exhibition
February 27 - March 13, 2015
Image: Living Colour, 2014; Artist: Marg Grothier; Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
The Marianne van Silfhout Gallery was pleased to host its first Friends of Marianne Juried Exhibition. A variety of works submitted by our Professional Members were on display.
MANIFEST/STEV'NN HALL
March 20 - April 17, 2015
Image: ROB OBSCURA/mixed media
The Marianne van Silfhout Gallery was pleased to feature MANIFEST, a collection of portraits by contemporary artist Stev'nn Hall. This exhibit explored the contrast between masculinity and vulnerability as expressed through the use of thoughtful and dramatic composition and subjects that are both recognizable and surprising to the viewer. For more information about the artist, visit stevnnhall.com.
Cut Paper - Chad Coleman
March 20 - April 17, 2015
In our Foyer Gallery, emerging Cornwall artist Chad Coleman exhibited a collection of intricately cut paper works. Using a dynamic and thoughtful approach to design, Chad's work inspired visitors as he shared with them his unusual art-form.
Ghost Junk Sickness - Kristen Lee & Laura Lee
March 20 - April 17, 2015
Image: Ghost Junk Sickness Cover Vol 1. by Kristen Lee and Laura Lee
Featured in our Library exhibition space was graphic novel art by emerging artists and SLC Visual & Creative Arts graduates Kristen and Laura Lee. On display was watercolour, digital, and process works from their self-published graphic novel series, Ghost Junk Sickness.
Mixed Palette: Grad Show 2015
April 23 - May 28, 2015
Graduates of the
Visual & Creative Arts - Fine Arts program at St. Lawrence College displayed art in their exhibit, "Mixed Palette". Visitors saw a wide variety of works in oil, acrylic, silk, and sculpture. Participating artists included: Amanda McLeod, Rebecca Vivona, Jessica Doner, Collum Murray, Rebecca Annable, Amy Bronze, Crystal Letts, Brooke Cobus, Rebeckah Robar, and Alyssa Salagala.
Annual Young Artists Exhibition: "Let Me Hear Your Voice"
June 5 - July 3, 2015
Our fourth annual show displayed the work of emerging artists who have not completed formal training in the visual arts. Visitors saw two and three dimensional art in a variety of mediums including photography, acrylic, oil, watercolour, graphite and mixed media designs. Artwork included in this exhibit was selected by a volunteer jury of local artists who examined the submissions based on formal elements of art including, but not limited to, line, composition, colour, subject matter and overall skill demonstrated.
Bliss
July 10 - August 21, 2015
The Marianne van Silfhout Gallery held its 8th Annual St. Lawrence College Alumni Juried Show, Bliss. The ethos of artists is to be inspired by the world around them and to convey this experience through their chosen medium. Bliss featured creations by alumni that reflect how they interpret the word “bliss” in the world around them – be it through direct experience or the observation of “bliss” in another. What brings you bliss? What does bliss look like? Through a photograph, or the abstract expression of their own emotional experience? Viewers to this year’s Alumni Show saw a variety of artistic expressions including paintings in oil, watercolour, acrylics, and mixed media by 23 artists: Dorothy Adlington, Anne Barkley, Shantel Bell, Lynne Bowker, Belia Brandow, Joyce Buckley, Carolyn Buyers, Virginia Dupuis, Helen Fenton, Marian Forster, Lillian Fyn, Elsie Gallinger, Heather Griffith, Marg Grothier, Arlene Hare, Kristen Lee, Laura Lee, Colleen O'Connell, Barbara Patrick, Connie Porteous, Fraser Radford, Vicki Rutherford, and Marilyn White.
Landscapes and Legends: The History of Art in Brockville
September 4 - October 16, 2015
Image: Lawren Harris. End of Lismer Lake, Algoma. Oil on board. Brockville Public Library, Brockville ON.
Landscapes & Legends allowed visitors to explore Brockville's rich visual arts history. This joint collaboration between the Marianne van Silfhout Gallery and the Brockville Public Library boasted artwork from the permanent collection of the Brockville Public Library, Brockville Museum, as well as private collectors. Included in this exhibit were works by such artists as Lawren Harris (Group of Seven), Robert Lindsay, Frederick Coburn, Percy Woodcock, and more. Visitors learned about our city's history, our once prestigious Brockville Art School and how Brockville artists helped to shape Canadian art history through this dynamic exhibit of art, artifacts, and historical documents.
Life in Motion: 8th Annual Juried Show
October 23 - December 4, 2015
Image: The Flow in You. Artist: MiSun Kim-Hunter. Medium: Acrylic. Size: 36 x 24 inches.
“The aim of every artist is to arrest motion, which is life, by artificial means and hold it fixed so that a hundred years later, when a stranger looks at it, it moves again.” -William Faulkner
The theme of the Marianne van Silfhout Gallery’s 8th Annual Juried Show was 'Life in Motion'. Perhaps this means the rapid flow of water down a winding stream, children running, a graceful dancer, birds in flight, or the abstract depiction of the energy of motion. Guests viewed the interpretations of 'Life in Motion' by 29 artists, whose works were on display at the Marianne van Silfhout Gallery.
Also on display in the foyer gallery were life drawings by second-year Visual & Creative Arts - Fine Arts students.