Category: Vancouver art

Gravity & Other Myths

I saw a wonderful show at the York Theatre yesterday evening, A Simple Space by Gravity & Other Myths. They are a circus troupe from Australia, and they performed amazing feats of human strength and agility on the tiny stage in East Van. It was the highlight of my week.

A Simple Space Promo 2015 from Gravity & Other Myths on Vimeo.

Their promo video is a terrific look at the crazy things they did last night. Tickets are still available to see Gravity & Other Myths, and they’re in residence at the York Theatre until October 24th.

Hot Talks: Eastside Culture Crawl 2nd Edition

I am organizing another evening of talks by artists participating in the Eastside Culture Crawl. I finalized all the details and speakers earlier this week.

hottalks-ECC-hawc

Hot Art Wet City gallery presents the second annual Hot Talks in partnership with the Eastside Culture Crawl and curated by Rachael Ashe. Join us for an evening of intimate and entertaining talks by artists, designers, and craftspeople. The eight speakers represent a small cross-section of the wide variety of artists participating in the 2015 Culture Crawl. Each speaker will present their work, a peek into their studio, and share their process in a short “Show & Tell” style talk

The eight speakers are Ben Z Cooper, Jacqueline Robins, Renée MacDonald, M.A.Tateishi, Ross den Otter, Simone Richmond, Toby Barratt / Propellor Design, and Christina Norberg.

Visit the Hot Art Wet City website for tickets »

A Sign Of The Times by I Heart

These are photos of a solo show of stencil work by street artist, I Heart. It was up for two days in June before the City of Vancouver had it painted over.

I’m not sure why they were in such a hurry to erase it from the walls of the Granville Bridge underpass when plenty of previous graffiti had been left up there for years. Was it such a big deal that the artist hadn’t asked permission to do this? I’m sure only The City cared about that. This unexpected bit of street art elevated the space, and gave passerby something to think about, talk about, and interact with.

#asignofthetimes By I Heart

#asignofthetimes By I Heart

This was clearly a thoughtful exhibition of work but the City of Vancouver did not deal with it in a thoughtful way. Apparently we are better off with looking at drab grey walls than art.

#asignofthetimes By I Heart

#asignofthetimes By I Heart

#asignofthetimes By I Heart

#asignofthetimes By I Heart

#asignofthetimes By I Heart

I would love for Vancouver to have a thriving street art scene the way Toronto does. I think it’s an important part of the cultural landscape, and it’s a way to bring art to the public and make it accessible. I’m trying to figure out how to make this happen.

Drawing Collaboratively at Vancouver Draw Down

My friend Christina Norberg co-hosted a Vancouver Draw Down event with me on Saturday at The Leeway. We had the terrific support of Lauren and Jacqueline, two of the technicians from Emily Carr Continuing Studies. They set up all the lovely grey drawing paper across the tables, and provided us with drawing tools of all sorts.

The largest collaborative drawing was about 14.5 feet long, with a few of the other tables set up for people to work on as well. There were about forty people who dropped in throughout the day, and many of them stayed with us for half an hour or more.

Drawing Together at Vancouver Draw Down

Drawing Together at Vancouver Draw Down-2

Drawing Together at Vancouver Draw Down-3

The idea was to work with mark making with a focus on simple shapes and lines. Christina and I made sure to work on the drawing all day long to make it into a cohesive piece. We also greeted and guided people into the space when they seemed hesitant.

Drawing Together at Vancouver Draw Down

Drawing Together at Vancouver Draw Down

Drawing Together at Vancouver Draw Down

Drawing Together at Vancouver Draw Down

I was drawing almost the entire four hours we ran the activity, which is probably the longest time I’ve spent drawing in one sitting. The finished collaborative work is pretty wonderful, and I’m hoping we can come up with a place to show and share it with more people.

Drawing Together at Vancouver Draw Down

Drawing Together at Vancouver Draw Down

Drawing Together at Vancouver Draw Down

Exhibition at Centre A Gallery: We Are Woven Through with Strangers and Strangeness

I visited Centre A gallery to see their latest show, We Are Woven Through with Strangers and Strangeness, featuring work by Richard Heikkilä-Sawan, Deborah Kisiel, Bianca Lee, Ceri Richards, and Risa Yokoi. This is a group show of installation work by emerging artists recently graduated from Emily Carr University and UBC.

I am very inspired by the work in this show, especially the three installations featured here (there are actually five).

Exhibition at Centre A gallery
Exhibition at Centre A gallery
Wall-mounted ceramic text piece by Deborah Kisiel.

Exhibition at Centre A gallery
Exhibition at Centre A gallery
Interactive installation of thread by Risa Yokoi.

Exhibition at Centre A gallery
Exhibition at Centre A gallery
An organically sprawling soft sculpture by Ceri Richards.

We Are Woven Through with Strangers and Strangeness continues at Centre A gallery until July 4th, 2015.

Vancouver Draw Down – Drawing Together

As part of the outreach activities during my residency at The Leeway I’m hosting a Vancouver Draw Down event called, Drawing Together. I’ve also brought in Creative Mornings Vancouver as a partner with Emily Carr University of Art and Design to help present and promote the event.

IG-CM-drawdown

I will be facilitating the activity in collaboration with Christina Norberg. Together we will create a single large scale drawing along with workshop participants, using simple drawing techniques accessible to all skill levels. I really want to reach those people who think they can’t draw because this is exactly the story I told myself for the longest time.

The full description of Drawing Together can be read here. The activity is also free and open to everyone.

Drawing Together with Creative Mornings Vancouver & Emily Carr University
Date: Saturday June 20th
Time: 10am to 2pm
The Leeway at Emily Carr University of Art + Design
1399 Johnston Street, Granville Island
Room 276, North Building

Highlights From the ECUAD 2015 Graduation Exhibition

I dropped in on the 2015 Grad Show at Emily Carr a couple of weeks ago, and wanted to share my favourites from the exhibition. The show just came down this past weekend, so it’s too late to see these for yourself.

Emily Carr 2015 Grad Show
Sediments by Madeline Kloepper

Emily Carr 2015 Grad Show-2
Two Thoughts on the Landscape by Dan Brown Hozjan

Emily Carr 2015 Grad Show-3
Causeway by Carly Mucha

Emily Carr 2015 Grad Show
Inheritance by JunXiang Shao

Emily Carr 2015 Grad Show-5
Untitled by Hee Yun Kim

Emily Carr 2015 Grad Show-6
Fertility Fest by Emily Beattie

Emily Carr 2015 Grad Show-7
This is Dread, this is absurd and I see now the Devil is Bones, Just Bones by Nomi Chi

Emily Carr 2015 Grad Show-8
Collected Meditations by Alison McLeod

I’m definitely attracted to certain kinds of work, especially when it involved pattern, textures, and line work.

First Saturday Open Studios at The Leeway

On Saturday June 6th I will be hosting an open studio date at The Leeway in conjunction with First Saturday Open Studios. If you are curious to see what I’ve been up to so far or are interested in checking out the space at Emily Carr, please do come by.

First Saturday Open Studios at The Leeway

I’ll be working on my paper cut installation exploring pattern design, and also the new tyvek installation.

The Leeway Studio at Emily Carr University
Location: Room 276 – 1399 Johnson Street, Granville island
Date: Saturday June 6th, 2015
Time: Noon to 4pm

Exhibition Photos of Exquisite Lines at Katami Gallery

Exquisite Lines opened at Katami Gallery last Thursday evening, and there were about fifty people who dropped by (WOW!) I took these photos at the end of the night so I could share them with people who can’t be there in person. The show is a selection of recent drawings, hand cut paper work, and laser cut bamboo pieces based on my paper cut work.

Exquisite Lines at Katami Designs
A wall of five drawings. (The one on the top right has sold).

Exquisite Lines at Katami Designs
Three of my one of a kind paper cut designs in 16″ x 20″ frames.

Exquisite Lines at Katami Designs
Cloud, laser cut. (Sold)

Exquisite Lines at Katami Designs
Flowerburst, laser cut

Exquisite Lines at Katami Designs
Untitled, laser cut.

The show continues until mid-June, and some of the work will be part of the one year anniversary show at Katami Gallery.

Katami Gallery’s owner, Negar, wrote a lovely blog post about my work which you can read here »

Spring Art Supply Giveaway

It’s spring cleaning time in the studios of many East Van artists, and we’re getting together on May 9th to swap or giveaway unwanted supplies.

It’ll be exactly like a garage sale but everything is free.

Untitled

Drop by AMP studio located at 800 Keefer Street in Strathcona, and help us find new homes for unwanted (but still viable) art supplies. At this time I have no idea what type of supplies will be available, so please drop by in person. You’ll get to meet local artists too!

Art Supplies Giveaway
Address: 800 Keefer Street
Date: Saturday May 9th, 2015
Time: 12pm to 2pm