Windows to My World, Marianne Enhörning’s latest art exhibition which captures the essence of the artist, opens this Sunday, Dec. 7 at Martine’s Bistro in Comox.
Enhörning, who was born in Sweden and moved to Canada when she was 11, is deeply influenced by her history; her family, her community and her vocations. Her grandmother was a passionate, devoted and committed painter who surrounded her with art.
In Sweden she grew up in a community steeped in “allemansrätt”, the right of all people to freely hike and camp on anyone’s land and, with that right, the responsibility and respect that must be given to people and place.
In Canada, Enhörning has spent many years alternating her time between natural and urban environments; on the west coast as a kayak guide and in cities, working in architecture. In her art, she explores the struggle between modern society and nature and the longing for a simpler, more joyful world.
Enhörning explored fine arts at university, then trained in architecture, and is currently a member of the Art Alchemy collective in Courtenay.
In addition to her studio work, Enhörning teaches elementary school kids to explore the spirit of art at her Purple Pear studio in Comox.
With 17 new paintings in this exhibit, Enhörning continues to create evocative, dreamlike works that are figurative, nature influenced and abstract architectural.
“My paintings have become my emotional outlet, my place of pure expression and freedom,” she says. “Most of the time, I start a painting without any knowledge of what it will become. I start by filling my palette with colours I am attracted to at that moment. Then I just begin. If I feel like painting yellow, I do. Then I add another colour and let the painting take off from there. I often turn the painting around a few times and may finish it upside down from where it started. It is extremely therapeutic and empowering to create art with such freedom.”
The public is invited to the opening reception Dec. 7 from 2-4 p.m. at Martine’s Bistro, 1754 Beaufort Ave. in Comox. The show will hang for three months, so you have until March to have a lovely meal at Martine’s and enjoy the art as you dine.
