The Kootenay Gallery will open the exhibition season on March 9 with The Language of Drawing, a show of works submitted by ten artists who live and work in the Columbia Basin.
Drawing, whether used as a ‘means to an end’ or an ‘end in itself’ is a significant aspect of every art practice. The works that make up this exhibit will challenge our traditional definition of drawing.
As curator, Helen Sebelius states, “All of these visual stories speak about the artists’ hands-on and highly personalized involvement with their subject matter and materials. Whether created with unconventional materials such as ball-point pens, gel pens, markers, recycled paper, or the traditionally accepted conté, charcoal, graphite, oil stick, gouache and pastel, their work is visceral in nature, at times obsessive, and always evident of an intimate engagement with their art.”
We typically think of drawing as images on paper created using pencil or charcoal to formulate ideas or concepts that lead to works in other mediums. Carl Schlichtings quick sketches used in designing his three dimensional work or George Koochin’s classic figure drawings fit this traditional definition. Yet, Deb Thompson renders her drawings in paint, Don Mabie uses gel pens and Wendy Toogood creates her ‘journals’ in watercolours and ink.
As materials vary so does subject matter. While Guy Hobbs focuses on wildlife drawings and Peter Velesik primarily on landscapes, Deb Rushfeldt creates familiar images of rural life. Heather MacAskill’s intricate abstracts contrast the highly realistic portraits of Brigitte Desbois.
The Language of Drawing illustrates how ten artists interpret the practice of drawing, one of the oldest forms of visual expression that has played a crucial role in the work of artists throughout history.
This exhibition runs from March 9 to April 21 with an opening reception on Friday March 9 at 7 p.m. There is no admission charge and the public is welcome to attend.
The artists and curator will be in attendance providing an opportunity to ask questions and learn about why they have chosen this particular form of drawing and how it informs their art practice.
A drawing workshop facilitated by one of the exhibiting artists, Deb Thompson, will be offered on March 31. For more information contact the gallery or visit the website at kootenaygallery.com.
