Andrea Toth - Heavens Above

heavens above

Andrea MJ Toth Vernon Public Art Gallery May 28 - July 23, 2015

Between Light of the Day, 2013, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 in

Andrea MJ Toth: heavens Above

As an artist, Andrea developed a particular style in painting over the duration of her career. First she produced modestly-sized detailed and realistic drawings and paintings which referenced nature and natural forms. Her awareness about environmental issues continued to influence her subject matter, and as time progressed, the forms became more abstracted and dissolved. The works increased in size and created an environment for the viewer with encoded essences of different landscapes. The inaugural MFA exhibition of paintings were in Newcastle upon Tyne in 2006. These Andrea’s works were consequently exhibited at the Vernon Public Art Gallery in 2007.

Andrea’s work was mainly focused on light, atmosphere and a sense of space captured in the landscapes she produced in her last years of her artistic practice. She chose landscape as a symbolic signifier to invoke a memory of place, both existing and created in her studio. Exposure to the British northern landscapes in addition to her earlier exposure to landscapes in Canada had a common underlying conceptual underpinning in the approach and the use of painting techniques while seeking to portray the essences of particular places together with their power to trigger emotional responses in viewers.

An important part of Andrea’s studio practice was dedicated to the gathering of source imagery and various visual references. In addition to the outdoor photographic documentation, drawing, or painting, Andrea used her journal writing to identify themes, views of a particular landscape, and the emotional resonance of her subject matter. Her studio painting process reflects the creative orchestration of pictorial elements based on her direct observation of physical environments, then distilled through the combination of a controlled paint delivery together with her spontaneous expressive mark making. The resulting landscapebased visual structures reflect the ephemeral qualities of light and a momentary feeling of movement, all activating the viewer’s emotional response.

In the last years of her artistic focus, Andrea painted landscapes which primarily featured expansive areas of sky. These paintings are eerily poignant, as if a premonition of her destiny was entering her subconscious mind. In her last publication titled Skies, Land and Light, Andrea’s statement articulates the mysterious space that became her preoccupation:

“The horizon and the ambiguous space between earth and sky is the focus of my present work and I am currently exploring the line, or space, that occurs where the two areas meet.”

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Evening Light, 2013, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 in

Andrea Toth’s exhibition titled Heavens Above is a celebration of her life and her prolific artistic Journey.

The title is ever so poignant as the body of works that constitute the exhibition were created shortly before her untimely passing. The exhibition of the same title was exhibited at the Sanctuary Artspace in Northumberland as a collaborative venue with Andrea’s artist friend Judy Thomas. The common theme of their exhibition was to explore and share ideas about memory, space, and spirituality.

We were all saddened by the news of losing our friend Andrea Toth, known in our community for her blossoming artistic career in Canada and abroad. The information about Andrea’s untimely departure at the age of forty years was so much more surprising to all who knew her for her positive attitude and gregarious nature, her energy and her willingness to help.

Despite her short life, Andrea’s achievements as a professional artist and educator are significant. After graduating from a high school in Kamloops where she grew up, Andrea decided to pursue her infatuation with visual arts and left for Calgary where she graduated with a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts in 1995. She earned another university degree in 1999 when she graduated as a Bachelor of Education at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Returning back to Vernon to join her family, Andrea held the position of Curatorial Director at the Vernon Public Art Gallery from 2002 until 2004 when she decided to further her studies. She left for Newcastle upon Tyne where she completed her Master’s degree in Fine Arts in 2006 at the University of Newcastle. Following her graduation with a Master of Fine Arts, Andrea maintained her artistic practice and taught art at the University of Newcastle.

Andrea lost her battle to metastatic breast cancer on July 14, 2013. Andrea’s absence amongst her friends and acquaintances is noticeable, but all of us carry a memory of her as a gentle and generous person, friend, colleague, and dedicated artist.

Lubos Culen Curator Vernon Public Art Gallery

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Heading Home at Dusk, 2013, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 in

Andrea MJ Toth EDUCATION 2004-2006 1998-1999 1999 1991-1995

curriculum vitae

Newcastle University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Master of Fine Art, Awarded Merit for Studio Work University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC, Canada. Bachelor of Education BC College of Teachers Professional Certificate University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Bachelor of Fine Arts: Art

SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2013 Andrea MJ Toth & Judy Thomas: (A collaborative show in conjunction with Northumberland

National Parks, including forest walks, photography and painting) Heavens Above 2012 Andrea MJ Toth: In Between Light, The West Barn, Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK 2012 Andrea MJ Toth: The Flora of Memory, Stagsike Cottages, Brampton, Cumbria UK 2012 Andrea MJ Toth: The Flora of Memory, Ex-Libris Gallery, Newcastle University, UK 2010 Andrea MJ Toth: Horizon Light, Sandford Goudie Gallery,Customs House, Tyne & Wear, UK 2009 Andrea MJ Toth: Clouds and Flowers, Dallam Tower Estate Gardens, Cumbria, UK 2008 Andrea MJ Toth: Details of a Garden, Dallam Tower Estate Gardens, Cumbria, UK 2007 Andrea MJ Toth: Memories of Place, Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon, BC, Canada 2006 Andrea Toth: Recent Works, Long Gallery, Fine Art Building, Quadrangle, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK 2005 Andrea MJ Toth: Recent Works, Long Gallery, Fine Arts Building, The Quadrangle, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK 2004 Andrea Toth: Selected Works, Caetani House, Vernon, BC, Canada 2001 Andrea Toth: Wildflowers, Outreach Gallery of the Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon, BC, Canada SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS 2011 Visual Vernacular, Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon, BC, Canada

A Big Show of Little Works, The Birdcage Gallery, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK 2009 Newcastle University Print, Ex-Libris Gallery, Newcastle University, UK 2008 The National Open Art Competition 2008, Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester, UK

Gymnasium Gallery Open Exhibition, Berwick Art Gallery, Berwick-upon-Tweed, UK 2007 Lautieri Moores Open 2007, The Gallery in Cork Street, Mayfair, London-awarded third prize

Gymnasium Gallery Open Exhibition, Berwick Art Gallery, Berwick-upon-Tweed, UK

Drawing on the New, The Customs House Gallery, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK 2006 Departures: MFA Degree Show, The Hatton Gallery, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK

M.A. and Other Postgraduates Exhibition 2006, Atkinson Gallery, Somerset, UK 2005 A5, Peacock Gallery, Aberdeen, Scotland MFA Interim Exhibition: Half Time with Oranges, Fine Arts Building, Quadrangle, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK 2004 North Okanagan Open Juried Exhibition, Vernon Public Art Gallery (also 2001, 2000, 1998), Vernon, BC

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Silver Light on an Afternoon, 2013, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 in

2003

2002

1996 1995

North Okanagan Federation of Canadian Artists Biennial Juried Exhibition, Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon, BC, Canada Small Matters, Vernon Public Art Gallery (also 2001), Vernon, BC, Canada Three, Open Juried Exhibition by the North Okanagan Artists Alternative, Gallery Vertigo, Vernon, BC Post-Miniature, Art is Vital, Calgary, AB, Canada TYRO, The University of Calgary BFA Graduating Exhibition, The Nickle Arts Museum, Calgary, AB, Canada Local Artists of Kamloops, along side the Exhibition for the BC Festival of the Arts, Kamloops, BC, Canada Our Show, Mezzanine Gallery, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada (also 1994) Three Ladies and a Gentleman, The New Generation, The Gallery, Riverside Coliseum, Kamloops, BC, Canada 1994 Post-Miniature, The Faculty of Fine Arts Gallery, The University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada Juried Art Show, The Gallery, Riverside Coliseum, Kamloops BC, Canada 1993 First Night Exhibition, The Gallery, Riverside Coliseum, Kamloops, BC Canada Summer Games City of Kamloops Art Exhibition, The Gallery, Riverside Coliseum, Kamloops BC 1991 The Emily Carr College of Art and Design Bi-Annual Juried Exhibition, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Touring Exhibition AWARDS 2012 Pollock-Krasner Foundation, New York, USA 2011 Artists’ Benevolent Institution, London, UK 2007 Nominated to be a guest at the Women of the Year Lunch, London, UK for achievements of the past year.

2006 Arts Council England (North East) Research and Development Grant for March 2007 group exhibition Drawing on the New, The Customs House, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, UK COMMISSIONS 2012 Mrs. R. Villiers-Smith, Dallam Tower Estate, Cumbria, UK 2007 Mr & Mrs E. Crawford, Paulerspury, Northamptonshire, UK 2003 Artemis Wildlife Consultants, Armstrong, BC Canada

Jim and Donna Wuest, Vancouver, BC, Canada 2001-2002 Science Opportunities for Kids, Kelowna, BC, Canada 2001 Artemis Wildlife Consultants, Armstrong, BC, Canada 1999-2000 Allan Brooks Nature Centre: Murals in the Habitat Room: COLLECTIONS Kilfrost Ltd, UK Avely Ranch Nixon Wenger Lawyers Allan Brooks Nature Centre Artemis Wildlife Consultants The Fraser Financial Group, LLP MQN Architects Private collections in Canada, USA and the United Kingdom

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Norfolk - North Coast, 2012, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 in

BIBLIOGRAPHY - “Expanded Horizons” The Sunderland Echo, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, UK September 2010 - “Artist Broadens Horizons with an Exhibition of Haunting Landscapes” The Shields Gazette, South Shields, Tyne & Wear, UK September 2010 - “Vernon artists mentor youth in Merritt” The Morning Star, Vernon BC Canada June 2007 - “Painting the town country” Merritt Herald, Merritt, BC Canada June 2007 - “Art Review: Drawing the New”, Metro Newcastle, March 2007 - “Exhibition is Drawing on New Talent” The Shields Gazette, March 2007 - “Change Brings Opportunity: eVent Magazing, February 2007 - “Painting her way to the UK” The Morning Star, Vernon, BC Canada, January 2007 - “Artist Used Okanagan Memories as her Muse: The Daily Courier, Kelowna, BC, January 2007 - “Art Review: Departures: MA Fine Art Degree Show”, Metro, Newcastle, September 1, 2006 - “Departures: MFA Degree Show Exhibition Catalogue”, Newcastle University, 2006 - “Library Open to Artists” The Morning Star, April 22, 2001 - “Northern Exposure” The Sun Review, March 3, 2001 - “Artwork finds a natural setting” The Morning Star, April 16, 2000 - “Tyro, BFA Grad Catalogue”, University of Calgary, 1995 - “Young Artists at Work” Kamloops This Week, March 8, 1995 - “Annual Art Auction Creates Art Frenzy on Campus” The University of Calgary Gazette, November 21, 1994 EMPLOYMENT (IN Art & Art Education) 2008 – 2013 Transcriber/Editor for CRUMB Curatorial Resource for Upstart Media Bliss, University of

Sunderland, Sunderland, UK 2007 – 2013 Tutor, Stage 1 Architecture Students, Department of Architecture, Landscape Planning, Newcastle

University 2006 – 2013 Life Drawing Tutor, Fine Art Department, Newcastle University 2006 Open Studio for Newcastle University Archituecture Students Level 2

Artist Assistant in Arts Council England (North East) funded sculpture installation 2005 – 2010 Research Assistant (and non-medical support worker) for Thomas Gray, visually disabled. Masters

Res student at the Culture Lab, Newcastle University, (and prior to that during his Fine Art

Undergraduate Studies at Newcastle University) 2005 – 2006 Tutor, Fine Art Department Summer Program for Sixth Form Students, Newcastle University 2005 – 2006 MFA Student Representative for Fine Art Department Staff Student Committee, Newcastle

University 2002 – 2004 Curatorial Director, Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon, BC, Canada 2002 Researcher, Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon, BC, Canada 2001 – 2003 Researcher and Art Educator for Artists in Schools Program, Vernon Public Art Gallery and the

Vernon Community Arts Centre, Vernon, BC, Canada 1999 – 2004 Andrea Toth Arts, Self Employed Artist, Vernon, BC, Canada

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This publication was produced in conjunction with the exhibition: Andrea MJ Toth: Heavens Above Vernon Public Art Gallery, May 28 - July 23, 2015 Production: Vernon Public Art Gallery Cover Image: Withley Bay Twighlight, 2010, oil on canvas, 60 x 54 in Printing: Get Smarter Copies, Vernon BC, Canada

ISBN 978-1-927407-17-2

copyright Š 2015, Vernon Public Art Gallery All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act or in writing from the Vernon Public Art Gallery. Requests for permission to use these images should be addressed in writing to the Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Avenue, Vernon BC, V1T 2H3, Canada.

Telephone: 250.545.3173 - fax: 250.545.9096 - website: www.vernonpublicartgallery.com The Vernon Public Art Gallery is a registered not-for-profit society. We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee/RDNO, the Province of BC’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch, British Columbia Arts Council, the Government of Canada, corporate donors, sponsors, general donations and memberships. Charitable Organization # 108113358RR

Vernon Public Art Gallery 3228 - 31st Avenue, Vernon BC, V1T 2H3 250.545.3173 vernonpublicartgallery.com

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