Though a certain book on the best-selling lists refers to shades of grey in its title, its erotic theme was not the subject of the latest show at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre. Being visual artists, the 51 participants chose to work with the nuances of the colour grey – a softly mutating hue that is sometimes blue, sometimes silver.
Many of the artists turned out for a lively opening reception of the juried group show on July 22. Each artist could submit only one piece, giving the show an interesting diversity and offering a showcase for newer artists.
Most of the work involved paint, but the few three-dimensional pieces were outstanding. John Tesloveanu showed his Roots sculpture, a carving in Manitoba grey soapstone. Tam Harrington’s silvery skull with its glittering crown sitting in a jewel chest attracted many viewers. Photographer Paul Clancy showed his photo collage on digital media.
Francine Desjardin’s mixed media work is engaging. Perhaps it is the title, Collingwood and 10th, that suggests a map image in this non-representational painting.
Many were inspired by the sea and sky for their experience with grey. Grey Day at Francis Point, a watercolour of the sea that features an exploding wave, is by Darin Patrick. Mary Dolman’s Coastal Elements, rendered in acrylic, is blue grey. Carol Whittaker’s Morning Calm in acrylic with texture is my personal favourite. Dale Stavroff used woodblock for an intriguing Ascent into Nightfall. Hiroshi Shimazaki’s watercolour moves away from West Coast weather to depict London on a wet and foggy night.
Visitors should stand sideways to Russ Tkachuk’s piece, Morning Sun, an almost three- dimensional watercolour. One side shows bars of grey; on the other side, red peeks through. And let your mind float along with a daydreaming fish while viewing Janice McFegan’s Dreaming and Floating, an etching using pastel. Nanette Walker’s Jewel is a charcoal and gold leaf portrait of a gazing woman. And of course pigeons are grey as in Cary Campbell’s New York Lunch, an oil painting of the birds feeding greedily.
Gigi Hoeller’s totem painting in oils hangs by the door to the Doris Crowston Gallery. Grey or gray, she asks, while applying a touch of pink to a greying cedar.
The Grey show will be up until Aug. 23 and will likely be seen by many visitors to the Festival of the Written Arts and the neighbouring Hackett Park Art and Craft Fair. During the summer the gallery, located at the corner of Trail and Medusa in Sechelt, will be open Mondays to Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Call 604-885-5412 for more.
