Exhibition 4

Back to contemplating Canadian art and artists.... Screen 2010, Exhibition 4. The theme, If these walls could talk: Room for reflection is an interesting one in which" architectural spaces are metaphors for social realities". You will find a range of work from painting to sculpture to photography. All of the artists appear to be responding to the physical and connected social and psychological changes that occur as the urban landscape changes in various ways. Have a look at the eleven works here,

Many of these artists are new to me although one of them is a Newfoundlander whose work I've seen often and I've visited his studio. Christopher Pratt's Institution (# 6) is very representative of his subject matter and style. He is probably Newfoundland and Labrador's best known artist nationally and is one of the pioneers in the arts community here. His work is hard edged and sparse with the lack of details creating an almost fantasy land of precise lines and perfection. Check out his images on CyberMuse.


A new artist to me is Dina Gonzales Mascaro who lives in Vancouver by way of Argentina where she studied sculpture. I enjoyed both New Wall: Hospital + Parking Lot (#10) and Nice (#11) because they connect with subject matter I am interested in. Although the materials are recycled from different places/demolitions, there is a purity about the way she puts them together. The colour and textures are exquisite. I think it is difficult to create work that is both substantial and delicate at the same time but this artist has achieved that.

D. Bradley Muir's exploration of the tentacles of urban sprawl in his Dreams for Sale series is interesting. Velvet Room (#5) and Midnight Haze (#6) both struck a cord with me because this small city I live in seems to be expanding in leaps and bounds everywhere I look. Isn't it ironic that the real dream is being constantly bulldozed to make room for the other dreams.

I'd love to hear your impression of all or any of these works.