Isabelle du Toit

I S ABELLE d u TOI T tur ning point

turning point

ISA BELL E d u TOI T N E W W ORK S IN OIL ON C AN VA S

FEBRUARY 4 - 29, 2016

“Turning Point” reflects a career-long dedication by artist Isabelle duToit to bring awareness to the plight of nature by humanity’s continuing encroachment on the natural habitats of many of our most precious species.

As a South African, duToit has experienced first-hand how man’s avarice has been favored over protecting wildlife, particularly the African elephant and rhino. Through this profound collection of work, the viewer is challenged to consider their own commitment towards the preservation of not only natural habitats, but also their indigenous inhabitants.

The exhibition presents 12 canvases that combine nuances of chiaroscuro with a unique and exquisite detailed handling of paint. DuToit is able to create a look and feel that is unique to realism, and although her work addresses serious contemporary concerns, she is also hopeful that it conveys hope and optimism.

Isabelle duToit received her BFA from Nelson Mandela University in South Africa and for over 15 years she has lived and painted in the United States. Her work can be found in both private and corporate collections, and she has had numerous solo and group exhibitions in both private sector galleries and museums throughout the Unites States.

PAT R I C I A R O V Z A R

G A L L E RY

1225 Second Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101 www. r o v z a r g a l l er y. c o m

I t was a se nse of irony that has ins pi red m e to ca l l t h i s p a i nt i n g Sentinel. I n a d d i t i o n to b eing large , powerf ul and beautif ul, el ep h a nt s a re a l s o h i g h l y i ntel l i gent , ver y s en s i t i ve , emo tio nal bei ngs . At f irst glanc e one m i g ht t h erefore a s s u m e t h at t h e t i t l e of t h e p a i nti n g refe rs to t he elephant, but in fac t , i t i s t h e h u m a n b a by t h at i s t h e s ent i n el . I t h i n k i t is impo r tant to understand that elep h a nt s a re p a r t of t h e wor l d ’s h er i ta ge a n d a s su c h d ese r ve inter national protec tion and res p ect . A s a S ou t h A fr i ca n I ’ve h a d t h e p r i v i l e ge to l o o k into the eyes of wild elephants roa m i n g freel y a n d I st ron g l y feel t h at a l l ch i l d re n sho uld have t hat s am e hum bling , awe- i n s p i r i n g p r i v i l ege i n t h e fu t u re. Yet , i ron i ca l l y, the e le phant ’s tus k s afely holding the ch i l d i s t h e ver y feat u re res p on s i b l e for t h e d e m i se o f the se beau tif ul creatures .

Sentinel 9 0 ”x7 6 ”, o i l o n canvas

D eta i l : Fo ste r

I wanted this painting to reflect peace and kindness. It is a discussion on what animals mean to us and their valuable place on the Earth. One of the first things that we do for our children is to teach them to recognize a great variety of animals. I think in this lies the key to how important animals are. They are what makes the “good� in humans. I believe it is wildlife that teaches us to be kind, empathetic and respectful. We need nature and animals to be emotionally stable and whole beings that strive for a better future.

Foster, oil on canvas, 40”x 50”

D eta i l : Me rc y

Mercy talks in part, about our self absorption while animals are taken to the brink of extinction. In this case by the Asian market believing in false medical benefit, and wanting to show off their wealth. (The horns of Rhinos are made of keratin the same as our hair or nails... Nothing of any medical benefits at all) I think the killing of Rhinos are not just an African problem, they are a world heritage! What parent or grand parent has not bought a plush Rhino or a baby book about African animals, or taken their children to a zoo and not delighted in seeing children’s reaction to these animals?

Me rc y, o i l o n canvas, 48” x 64”

D eta i l : Do lp h i n

I live on the Caloosahatchee river in Florida and I am fortunate to have dolphins pass by to hunt fish and play.

Watching their antics and stealth is an incredible source of pleasure and fascination. Last winter the Corp of engineers of the Okeechobee dam decided to let out a lot of fresh water. This forced dolphins and the fish they eat to move down the river. This brought about my concerns about how many animals we displace through our manipulation of the natural world, the consequences of our actions and the harm we do.

I’m happy to report that India has classified Dolphins has non-human persons and has banned all shows, captivity and mistreatment of Dolphins... Hopefully the world will follow suit.

Dolphin, oil on canvas, 48”x 48”

D eta i l : Superb Fairywrens

Superb Fairywrens, oil on canvas 12”x12”

Killdeers, oil on canvas 24”x 30”

D eta i l : Western Scrub Jays

Western Scrub Jays, oil on canvas, 16”x 20”

D eta i l : Evening Grosbeaks

Evening Grosbeaks, oil on canvas, 12”x 16”

Bluethroat, oil on canvas, 12”x 12”

Sibererian Rubythroat, oil on canvas, 12”x 12”

D eta i l : Co n se r vati on I wanted this painting to have an optimistic message to show that when we make an effort we can change things around. I also wanted to talk about how fast nature can make a turn around when given the chance. I have chosen the Kirtland Warbler as it is a beautiful success story of conservation. These little birds came to near extinction in the 1970’s and due to human intervention are now steadily coming back. When we make time and effort to protect nature it gives it right back to us and nurtures us in ways nothing else can.

Conservation, oil on canvas, 20�x 16�

EDUCATION: 1993 BFA in Printmaking, Nelson Mandela University, South Africa BORN: Strasbourg, France EXHIBITIONS 2016 Patricia Rovzar Gallery, “Turning Point”, Seattle, WA 2015 Imago Galleries, Solo show “Humanity Series” Palm Desert, California.

RJD Gallery, Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, Sag Harbor NY. April Dallas Art Fair, Cris Worley Fine Arts, Dallas TX. Trudy Labell, 15 year anniversary group show. Naples FL. 2014 Celebrate Art group show, Patricia Rovzar Gallery, Seattle WA. “Take Your Mark” drawing group show, Cris Worley Fine Arts, Dallas TX. May Figurative Invitational, Miller Gallery, Cincinnati OH. 2013 Patricia Rovzar Gallery, Fragile, Seattle, WA

Cris Worley Fine Arts, Dallas Art Fair, Dallas, TX

Cris Worley Fine Arts, Dallas, TX 2012 101/Exhibit, Art Miami, Miami, FL

Patricia Rovzar Gallery, 20TH Anniversary Group Show, Seattle, WA

101/Exhibit, Texas Contemporary Art Fair, Houston, TX

101/Exhibit, Art Platform LA, Los Angeles, CA 2011 101/Exhibit, Scope Miami, Miami Fl

Patricia Rovzar Gallery, Seattle, WA.

101/Exhibit, artMRKT Hamptons, Bridghampton, NY,

101/Exhibit, Art Chicago, Miami, Fl

101/Exhibit, Miami, FL.

101/Exhibit, Los Angeles Art Show, Los Angeles, CA 2010 Patricia Rovzar, 18th Annual Group Exhbition, Seattle WA.

Cris Worley Fine Arts, Eos Rising, group show, Dallas, TX.

101/Exhibit, Miami, FL

Meadow Museum, SMU, Moss/Chumley Award, Dallas, TX

101/Exhibit, Scope Miami, Miami FL

Cris Worley Fine Arts, Epic Epoch, Grand Opening Group Show, Dallas, TX

101/Exhibit at Richard J. Demato Fine Arts Gallery, Sag Harbor, NY

101/Exhibit, ArtHampton, Hamptons, NY

101/Exhibit, Miami, FL

Albemarle Gallery, Contemporary Realism, London, UK

Patricia Rovzar Gallery, Seattle, WA

Pan American Art/ Cris Worley Fine Arts, Dallas Art fair, Dallas, TX 2009 Patricia Rovzar Gallery, Annual Group Exhibition, Seattle WA

Miller Gallery, Size Matters, Cincinnati, OH

Klaudia Marr Gallery, Flight, Santa Fe, NM

Allegro Gallery, Sol de Agua, Panama City, Panama.

Byron Roche Gallery, Chicago, IL

Trudy Labell Fine Art, Reality Check, Naples, FL

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003 2002 2001 1999 1998

Miller Gallery, Object of Desire, Cincinnati, OH Klaudia Marr Gallery, 15th Annual Realism Invitational, Santa Fe, NM Pan American Art Projects, Scope Art Fair Hamptons, Hamptons, NY Bernarducci Meisel Gallery, New York, NY Pan American Art Projects, CADD Art Fair, Dallas, TX Pan American Art Projects, Flight, Dallas, TX Klaudia Marr Gallery, Still life, Objects and Other Narratives, Santa Fe, NM Trudy Labell Fine Art, Reality Check, Naples, FL Pan American Art Projects, Los Angeles Art Show, Santa Monica, CA Pan American Art Projects, Red Dot Art Fair, Miami Beach, FL Wendt Gallery, Bridge Art Fair, London UK Wendt Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA Templeton Art Center, TCU, Art in the Metroplex, Fort Worth, TX Wendt Gallery, Summer Salon, Laguna Beach, CA Pan American Art Projects, Contemporary Art Dealers of Dallas Art Fair, Dallas, TX Haggerty Gallery, University of Dallas, Irving, TX Byron Roche Gallery, Good Question, Chicago, IL Wendt Gallery, Small Paintings Group Show, Laguna Beach, CA Texas Art 2007, Juried competition, Houston, TX Harris Gallery, Houston, TX Manitou Gallery, International Guild of Realism, Santa Fe, NM Wendt Gallery, Summer Salon, Laguna Beach, CA Byron Roche Gallery, Vision 11 Summer Group Show, Chicago, IL Wendt Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA Harris Gallery, Summer Group Show, Houston, TX Williams Tower, Less is More, curated by Sally Sprout, Houston, TX Wendt Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA Williams Tower Gallery, Texas Art 2006, Juried competition, Houston, TX Harris Gallery, Christmas Group Show, Houston TX Exhibit Up Gallery, Tustin, CA Pan American Art Gallery, Dallas, TX Wendt Gallery, Small Paintings Exhibition, Laguna Beach CA Byron Roche Gallery, Summer Group Show, Chicago, IL Byron Roche Gallery, Vision 10, Chicago, IL Harris Gallery, Houston, TX Pan American Art Gallery, International Guild of Realism, Dallas, TX Williams Tower Gallery, Juried comp. of Contemporary Arts, Houston, TX Wendt Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA Wendt Gallery, 3rd Annual Women’s Show, Laguna Beach, CA Wendt Gallery, Modern Art Exhibition, Laguna Beach, CA Williams Tower Gallery, Realism Show, selected by Sally Sprout Houston, TX Wendt Gallery, Small Paintings Show, Laguna Beach, CA Pan American Gallery, Dallas, TX Harris Gallery, Houston, TX Karen Mitchell Frank Gallery, Dallas, TX Elliott Yeary Gallery, Aspen, CO Elliott Yeary Gallery, A Contrasting View, Dallas, TX Elliott Yeary Gallery, Beauty Confined, Dallas, TX

MU SE U M TO UR T he New Real ity: The Frontier of Rea l i s m i n the 2 1st Centur y, Mus eum Tour 2 00 8-2 011 o f Ar t by Realism Guild M e mbers W ichita Ar t Mus eum , Wichita, KS A pri l 2 7, 2008 through June 22, 2008 T he Spr ing fie ld Mus eum s , Spr ing f ield, MA Jul y 1 3, 2008 throug h September 7, 2 0 0 8 T he Spr ing fie ld Mus eum s , Spr ing f ield, MA : Se pte m be r 28, 2008 through November 2 3 , 2 0 0 8 R .W. No r to n Art Galler y, Shrevepor t, L A D e c e mbe r 16, 2008 throug h Febr uar y 1 5 , 2 0 0 9 O we nsbo ro M us eum of Fine Art, O wens bo ro, K Y May 2 4 thro ugh July 16, 2009 C i ty o f Lake Charles - Historic City Ha l l Ar t s & C u l t u ra l C enter, L a ke C h a r l es , L A A ugust 1 4 th rough O ctober 17, 2009 Museum o f Texas Tec h Univers ity Lub b ock , T X N ove mbe r 8, 2009 throug h Januar y 3, 2 0 1 0 A ppleto n Mus eum of Art Ocala, FL Janu a r y 2 4 throug h M arch 21, 2010 Le ig h Yaw key Woods on Art Mus eum , Wa u s a u , WI June 2 7, 2010 throug h Aug ust 22, 201 0 I n dian H ills Com m unity College, Ottu mwa , I A Se pte m be r 12, 2010 through November 7 , 2 0 1 0 U n iversity o f Mar y Was hington - Gari M el ch ers M u s eu m , F red er i cks b u rg , VA D e c e mbe r 4, 2010 through Febr uar y 27 , 2 0 1 1

AWARDS 2010 2010 2009 2005

Moss/Chumley Award, Meadow Museum, Dallas Texas.

Hunting Art Prize Finalist.

Hunting Art Prize Finalist.

Gold Medal award, International Guild of Realism | First Annual Juried Exhibition.

PUBLICATIONS Seattle Art Dealers Assoication, November cover 2013 Woman in Art - Vol 1 by Reinhard Fuchs, 2013 International Contemporary Artist Vol.V pg.82 Studio Visit, Spring 2011 (Juror: Beth Venn, Newark Museum of art) The Lead, Cover, Miami Beach, Florida, June 2010 New American Paintings, anniversary edition, February 2010 Studio Visit Winter Decmber 2009 American Art Collector, July 2009 Studio Visit, May 2009 Studio Visit, Fall 2008 Dallas Modern Luxury, October 2008 ArtScope.net Review June 2008 (Byron Roche Gallery) Studio Visit, April/May 2008 New American Paintings, October 2006 D Magazine (Best of Dallas Fort Worth), January 2006 issue American Art Collector, February 2006 issue International Artist August/September, 2005 issue American Artist, September 2005 issue Houston Chronicle, July 2003 Dallas Morning News, August 2002 New City Art (Chicago) Artists Spotlight (Rosemary Carstens Blog) The Independent (London), May 2010 Albemarle Gallery Ad - This is London, Page 24, May 2010

I SA BEL L E d u TOI T tu rning p oin t