Author: faithhieblinger
Kitchener Waterloo Society of Artists
Kitchener Waterloo Society of Artists
Contrasts
featuring Tiina Price ~ Resonance
March 17 – April 21 | 2019
Faith Hieblinger, Curator | Andrew Soorah Juror
The Kitchener Waterloo Society of Artists (KWSA) Annual Juried show entitled Contrasts is hosted this year at the Homer Watson House & Gallery. This year artists explore the use of contrast within a work of art whether it be visually through colour, line or texture, figuratively through symbolic choice of subject matter or spiritually through thought provoking composition. The theme is examined though a variety of artistic backgrounds, diverse media and rich cultural influences.
The work of KWSA member, Tiina Price, 2018 winner of the Curator’s Choice award, is a featured as solo artist in her exhibit . Price chooses to paint with watercolours as it allows the nuances of nature to unfold. “I am continually struck by the play of light on water, the shadows in foliage, the changeability of skies, and the vibrancy or subtlety of colour.” Price’s paintings celebrate not only the energy and vitality of nature, but its serenity and harmony.
Kitchener Waterloo Society of Artist
Opening Reception Sunday March 25, 2:00 – 4:00 Enjoy a glass of wine and variety of meats, cheese and treats as we explore this amazing exhibition titled Textures.
Exhibiting Artist Talk
Listening to artists describe how they chose a specific medium or why a certain line draws your eye; what colours they lie beside one another to create the emotion they desired; what inspired their passion, can all be very fascinating. An Artist Talk is a good way to indulge in the visual arts and widen your scope of understanding, whether that be to utilize new ideas in your own work or to fully appreciate the work on exhibit. Drop by Homer Watson House Saturday February 24, 2018 | 1:00 – 3:00 and join me, for free and interesting exchange on the current exhibits.
Featuring Artists
Current Exhibitions
Tree-Centricity || Amy Ferrari || Homer Watson House & Gallery
curated by Faith Hieblinger
February 4 – March 9 2018
Amy Ferrari showcases the personalities of trees. Ferrari believes that focusing on trees can help to center us and bring us back into alignment with the flow, harmony and wisdom of life. She imagines the trees are trying to teach us how to be strong and majestic, even with all of our flaws. Ferrari taps into her wide range of Canadian landscape photographs, which she collects on Sunday drives through rural regions and extracts the trees whose voices seem to be loudest, and whose accompanying landscape and sky are the best counterpart to enhance the tree’s expression. Ferrari then explores ways to express the power and interconnections found in the branching systems of trees and the grace with which the bough structures of trees embrace the sky, plea for sunshine, sing with the wind and keep the sky from falling. Ferrari uses intuition while designing her works altering elements such as lines, shapes and colour until she has achieved the gestures and flow she is looking for. Colour is celebrated and enjoyed. She believes that vibrant, joyous potential thrives in everybody, everything and in every situation.
Mind-Scape || Ed Schleimer || Homer Watson House & Gallery
curated by Faith Hieblinger
February 4 – March 9 2018
Ed Schleimer takes us on a journey of discovery, reconciliation, change, intellect and moral purpose. Through his work in wood cut etchings, watercolour and oil pastels, Schleimer often uses his own image to interpret the historic spirit of our city in terms of values and aspirations, seeking to satisfy the universal needs of “everyman”. Schleimer has always had an interest in the “everyman morality plays” of the Middle Ages of Western history. He began to cut the board as individual and universal statements carved into birch panels. Schleimer uses imagery as a psychological “dance with the spirits of the imagination” conjoined with the sense of right and wrong and the struggle to validate who he was and has become. The resulting images are minimal compositions with complex use of line: swirling stokes and hard slashes. Colour appears to express extreme emotion and difficulty of change. Schleimer has explored these spiritual and social issues in his book HAIR-SHIRT that draws from 50 years of creative effort and realization.
Sitting Still || Ruth Lane || Homer Watson House & Gallery
curated by Faith Hieblinger
February 4 – March 9 2018
Ruth Lane explores the idea of our identity as fluid rather than fixed. The subject matter she paints is varied, but the portraiture and figures are her true passion. Lane works from both personal photographic images and life interchangeably. When painting, whether it be a landscape, portrait or figure, her primary concern is to capture the emotional content in gesture line, allowing the paints to be drawn into one another uninhibited, creating the sense of motion. Line and colour interact to create a free flowing organic sense of identity. While the portraits and figures she renders reflect reality and have a sense of familiarity, her core interest is conveying the inner workings: what make us human. Lane goes beneath the surface and expresses the personality and emotion that makes us who we are. Lane believes that this is where the dialogue begins. Her images provide the space for individual reflections and commentary.
Our Nature; Ourselves || Hidden Valley Artists || Artspace – Kitchener City Hall
curated by Faith Hieblinger
January 15 – February 28, 2018
Our Nature; Ourselves. In this off-site exhibition at Kitchener City Hall Berlin Tower – ARTSPACE artists explore our natural environment in particular the Environmentally Sensitive Area inside Hidden Valley. The City of Kitchener, the Region of Waterloo, and the Province of Ontario have all recognized the uniqueness of this exceptional area by imposing special designations onto this privately-owned property. Through a diverse range of medium, artists create an empathetic view of this natural setting and unspoiled gem of spectacular diversity that has been enjoyed by enthusiastic naturalists for generations. This exhibition is to honor the late Daphne Nicholls, an artist, active environmentalist, and a founding member of Friends of Hidden Valley. Artists will take you on a journey through aromatic maple, beech, and oak leaves or wild ginger that stirs up wonderful fragrances. Sounds of the churr of a red-bellied woodpecker, the rapid crescendo of an ovenbird, the witchity-witchity of a common yellowthroat, or the yipping of coyotes come to mind. Savour wild strawberries in season. Dare to put a finger to the seed pod of pale touch-me-not.
Nature and Humanity || Homer Watson || Watson Museum
curated by Faith Hieblinger
January – March, 2018
The majority of Watson’s works are deeply influenced by the overwhelming force and majesty of nature. Homer’s landscapes frequently display the stark contrast between the grandeur of the natural world and the practical concerns of humanity. Lush forests, heavy clouds and rushing streams are often seen in partnership with markers of human industrialization: small and gestural depictions of working men and women as well as the depiction of man made structures, such as local mills and barns. Through his work, Homer captures the unforgiving moods and beauty of nature as well as man’s complex relationship with it. Explore the beautiful duality of Homer’s work through the treasures now on exhibit in his studio.
Etchings || Homer Ransford Watson || Watson Museum
co-curated by Faith Hieblinger, Janine Foertsch
January – March, 2018
In 1889 Watson began to learn the technique of Etching. His desire was to reproduce his famous painting, The Pioneer Mill, 1879, oil on canvas. The painting was completed for the opening exhibition of the new Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and was purchased by the Princess Louise and the Governor General, the Marquis de Lorne and then given as a gift to Her majesty Queen Victoria. Under the guidance of genre painter George Clausen, Watson honed his etching skills and then asked permission to visit the painting in the private apartments of Windsor Castle. Using a sharp metal tool, Homer engraved his image onto the copper plate then submerged the plate into etching solutions that, upon exposure, intensified the depth of each mark. The artist then rolled an even layer of ink on the plate and using a printing press transferred the image onto paper. Using this technique Homer created some of his most interesting pieces focusing on the element of line to capture interest and emotion. Explore these unique artworks arranged for display by Janine Foertsch, Curatorial Assistant.
First Curator || Phoebe Amelia Watson || Watson Museum
curated by Faith Hieblinger
January – March, 2018
Not a lot is known about Phoebe Watson (1858-1947), the younger sister of Homer Watson; her diaries remain at large. But what we do know is that Phoebe was a caregiver, business women, gardener, landowner, community worker, traveler, lover and friend. She threw parties that everyone wanted to attend. In the height of the depression, she invited guests to a “backward” party and asked them to dress in old forgotten clothes. She opened the door for guests, and holding a lighted candle, dressed in her mother’s old fashioned nightgown, welcomed her guests with a “Good Bye” in true backward greeting. Among all her traits this woman of mystery was most celebrated as both a feminist (before there was such a word), and artist for which she received great accolades and awards previously reserved for men. Phoebe wrote: “Women’s influence on the world at large is always felt, how can it be otherwise?” Phoebe’s hand painted china became admired and collected on a national level. Among her paintings on display at the gallery you will find a tall black vase skilfully painted in art-deco flavour with scenes of glowing colours of the famous sunrises and moonlit nights on Lake Huron. You will also find lush red roses, painted in free falling wisps on a small bowl and be drawn to the subtle flowers outlining a women’s vanity set. Drop by the gallery to find out more about Phoebe and see her work.
Gallery
Artist Statement
Using complementary colour and sweeping line helps to create the storms and winter seasons that interject in our daily lives. Losing my mother at a young age left me with contrasting emotions of the deep love and loss. My parents had left me with a love of sailing. Being around and on the water fascinates me with wonder and respect for weather, especially in its most powerful moods. Influenced by Homer Watson, I seek to capture the joy and love of life amongst the storms of love and loss.
Faith Hieblinger 