Expressions Juried Show: A celebration of the creative spirit By Fiona Campbell
Reimagine Indigenous Canoe Trails, Catherine Joyce
Fine Arts
The Quinte Arts
Council's biennial Expressions juried art show has been one of our signature events for over 20 years. This year it seemed even more special. While the third wave raged across Canada and around the world, artists and artisans, tasked with exploring the theme “Re-Imagine,” turned to their artistic practice to contemplate, explore and, ultimately, create. Despite the Parrott Gallery being closed due to the lockdown and rescheduling the show three times, by mid-July we were thrilled to (finally) receive such a fine calibre of work in a variety of media
from a wide cross-section of Quintebased artists, including: painters, photographers, woodworkers, sculptors, metal workers, textile artists, folk artists and mixed media artists.
is alive and well, in spite of this difficult period. It was easy to feel the enthusiasm in the greatly diverse subject matter, style and ways of working and the originality that was evident.
Esteemed jurors Valerie Kent (painter) and Bill Reddick (ceramic artist) agreed it was an exceptional collection of art. “This first major art exhibit after the lockdowns was a wonder and a delight,” says Kent. “The artists who submitted paintings and crafts offered mature and refined work, as though during the period of restrictions there was ignited their will to work hard to create art that
Out of 44 artists and over 90 submissions, they selected three winners, as well as seven honourable mentions.
Regeneration, Peter Bates
20
“It was not easy to select for the Expressions show when there were so many fine art works,” says Kent. “The field of artists showed their thoughtfulness and were all captivating in their own right.” Juror’s Choice: Peter Bates, Regeneration “Regeneration shows mastery of execution. It has a lovely sense of depth and perception. There is beautiful light in the background and in the foreground. Its asymmetry is pleasing, as is its organic patterning. It has an s-shaped composition, a landscape that juxtaposes the complementary colours which make the whole vibrate. It evokes many interpretations with its motion, balance and tension. It is like a well-crafted piece of music.” Juror’s Choice: Michelle Hutchinson, Voices “Voices is loosely painted, but tightly conceived. It has an atmospheric quality moving into the distance as if it is being looked at from the landscape