Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Canadian SDA Members show in Art Square Gallery, Toronto Ontario

Jade Coast Arbutus by Donna Fay Digance detail
Edge of the Forest is a touring exhibition of a selection of work by Canadian members of the surface Design Association.
Enchanted by Leslie Barnes.  detail
 53 artists are included from across the wide country.  An excellent website shows images of every piece along with statement and biography of each of the artists.
Brown Totem by Anni Hunt  (detail)
A wide variety of techniques (felting, stitching, dyeing, weaving, printing etc) were used by the artists to express the theme.  The curators were looking for thoughtful communication, visual excitement and strong design expressed through strong technique.
Attentive Heart by Kelly Bruton  detail
After the show in Art Square Gallery, Toronto, the exhibition will move to  the John M Parrot Gallery in Belleville, Ontario for June and then on to Newfoundland in August.  It will remain in the Gros Morne area until October 18 as a key part of the  Fibre Art Newfoundland conference.
A Tree Falls by Eleanor Hannan (detail)  
The curator/organizers of the exhibition are Melanie Siegel and Sheila Thompson with help from Rikki Blitt.  The jurors were Joe Lewis, Rachel Miller and Line Dufour.
Living in the Trees by Robin Wiltse (detail)
Judith e Martin judged the exhibition in March.
Sanctuary by Gloria S Daly  
The award of excellence went to Gloria S. Daly for Sanctuary, a piece made from re-purposed blanket and blanket pieces, organza and cotton threads.

Daly's art challenges the accepted need to find beauty in what is new, it asks the viewer to look for the inner beauty within the old and used.  The textiles that Gloria creates are labour intensive and thought provoking as they explore the relationship between yesterday's discarded cloth and today's philosophy of recycling.  Gloria's hand stitching is an expression of personal commitment to each individual piece.
It was a difficult show to judge as there were many strong pieces with differences in techniques.   Congratulations to every artist selected and to the edge of the Forest team for a job well done.

What made Gloria's stand out?  The simplicity of the cross archetype shape grounds the design and draws the viewer from across the room.  Close inspection of the mix of interesting stitches and multiple layers that the artist placed with care and consideration is a reward for heart and mind.  Impeccable workmanship throughout, including the finishing.  Everything in this piece invites and deserves contemplation.
The opening reception is Wednesday April 22.
Please plan to attend if you are able to.

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