Chance Operations, an exhibition comprised of a series of collaborative drawings, prints and collages is on display at the Penticton Art Gallery.
Created in tandem by Rodney Konopaki and Rhonda Neufeld, the exhibition explores the element of chance in the work of making art.
The pair literally worked together hand-in-hand as they explored their environment, documenting their journey together through their visual art.
Their works evoke a number of questions about the very nature of making art, authorship and the role that both chance and determinism play in the final image.
These works are totally dependent on the physical interaction and intellectual journey they have shared over the past five years.
In doing so, they formed a diary of their lives that pushes the boundary of collaboration and understanding of the creative and collaborative process.
The artists have completed two residencies at the Banff Centre in 2008 and 2009 and at St. Michael’s Printshop in St. John’s, Nfld in 2010 and exhibited across Canada.
This exhibit serves as a jumping-off point and will be an interesting document to come back to as this relationship continues to move forward.
Neufeld is a print media artist who is also comfortable with lithography, relief, intaglio and screen printing. She brings a sensitive approach to her prints and installations that disclose a deep commitment to and love of the land.
Neufeld has taught at the University of Regina, Thompson Rivers University, Kwantlen University College and Alberta College of Art and Design.
Konopaki explores print media, painting and drawing to create work that he often grounds in anonymous pop culture.
These works usually begin with images taken from historical sources, mass media and even material stolen from his friends that all find new meaning in unpredictable collisions with new elements.
For 11 years he worked as a master printer at Tyler Graphics in New York. His work is included in the collections of the Canada Council Art Bank, Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Saskatchewan Arts Board.
Konopaki is a faculty member teaching print media at the Emily Carr University of Art & Design. Chance Operations is open at the Main Gallery of the Penticton Art Gallery until July 8.
