An exhibition that is the collaboration of four international artists is opening at the Shatford Centre on Friday.
A creative convergence of artists, videographers and a writer comes together in Stranger Than A Wolf with Okanagan School of the Arts instructors Heather Spears and Ellie Scheepens in attendance.
The exhibition consists of large photographs of the creative process of an artist at work. Over 1,500 photos were taken of Scheepens sculpting a head from the inside out starting with the skull, then adding muscles, eyeballs, teeth, ears, fat and finally the skin. The featured head was created at the Anatomical Institute in Denmark.
Artists Isaac Carter and Orsolya Benkoczi were also part of the documentary.
Spears and Scheepens will also be artists in residence for the Okanagan School of the Arts teaching a variety of courses. While making arrangements to come, it was made clear that the exhibition and documentary would compliment the programs.
Scheepens workshop, also called Stranger Than A Wolf, begins on Friday and runs over the weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We are thrilled to share this unique piece of sculpting/photographic work with you. It sequentially depicts the sculpting of a human head from the inside out and back to front. It’s a superb sculpting technique for accuracy and resemblance and used in forensic sculpting. If you are interested in figurative sculpting, we encourage you to try out this exciting technique,” she said.
Spears, whose sister was the late, long-time Penticton resident Dodi Morrison, is hosting two courses at the Shatford.
The author and artist is conducting Intensive Life Drawing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 16 to 19 and then Drawing The Head from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on June 20 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 21 to 22. These are master classes for every level of artist.
“We learn why it is hard to draw and what to do about it, using new exercises based on new brain research — how to make new choices that produce good drawings, and it is exciting and serious fun,” said Spears. “It will be an inspiring time and I look forward to meeting old students and new.”
Drawing The Human Head is a sequel to Scheepens’ head modelling course to learn about growth, recognition, expression, the sources of likeness and how to make portraits.
Spears will also host a artist and poetry reading on June 19 at 7 p.m. for the opening of her show, Drawn From the Fire, Children of the Intifada.
Spears, who was provided with a League of Canadian Poets’ grant, will show a video film of over 100 drawings from Palestine during the nonviolent pursing against Israeli occupation in 1989.
The drawings are now 25 years old and the children who survived are grown up.
For more information on the workshops call 250-77-7668 or visit www.osarts.com.
