Of all the posts this author has posted on this blog this post is without doubt the one I am most qualified to write. Simply because it has works of art that include working with glass and structured textiles (free-motion embroidery is a structured textile) that is two materials of sculpture I know well.
LIZZ ASTON – paper burn-out, porcelain and AMANDA PARKER – kiln cast glass works are must see as they represent iconographic workouts of the long standing tension of making in craft materials in Canada. porcelain is not a regular stable of the educational environment in Canada, and although it is taught, often it is up to the student to refine the process and its particular issues themselves. While kiln cast glass represents a smaller section of the Ontario formal training in glass working. At the province’s largest glass school it occupies the smallest square footage, and at the the largest resident artist program in the province kiln cast glass casting still occupies the smallest footage. (this I am completely know, as I designed the facility – of course with other glass people – but I had to make the final square footage decisions, and I do wish I would have allotted more footage and equipment to kiln cast glass making)
On to the works… the works of both persons are well created technically – and that in itself is an amazing accomplishment, glass is a material that takes years to come to terms with in the ability to understand the working of the material to a com-positional state that inherits the reasoning and artistic elements the work stated from within the mind of the creator. Porcelain working is much the same and abstracted porcelain – works that simply do not concern themselves with wall thickness and/or vessel creation, is that much more difficult.
Why must see, well the works have the indelible mark of thought tempered hands, an achievement of the mix of craft and art. The works also are of International calbrie. In the late 90’s Canada’s craft and art schools had a wonderful mix of foreign and native collaborations. The amount of these efforts has reduced much in the past decade.
I will not go into the artisic reasons for any of the works, but leave that to the gallerist, I could not do the the area justice as I do not know the artists.
To see works with this much thought you probably would have to travel to Seto Japan the world epicenter of such works now, but you can see it in the Junction.
And buying the works, well that would be a good thing, as the buying of professional craft or material based art is simply not about the physical work, although the tactile and visual quality of this work must be great. When purchasing such works you are delving into yourself, the culture of our existence, and promoting the continence of the questioning and thought about what it is to be just about anything you can think of. Material art which is once again beginning to shape much of what people can really connect too, is presently a bargain now in purchase cost. Some local Toronto galleries are concerning themselves with developing this. Sure most craft works do not achieve this goal but these two works do. (pictured below)
A while ago this gallery was showing the work of another glass artist, and the galleries interpretation of glass material art in the choice of work from the artists body really had me scared. The exposition of glass art in Toronto, which has always been a problem, can use good curation such as put to use in this show.
info from the gallery on the show.
Household Notions*
LIZZ ASTON – paper burn-out, porcelain
NOELLE HAMLYN – free-motion embroidery
PAM LOBB – mixed media printmaking
DORIE MILLERSON – needle lace
AMANDA PARKER – kiln cast glass GAAC link
Nov 30, 2011 – Jan 28, 2012
Opening Party & Holiday Cheer:
Thurs, Dec 1st, 6 – 9pm
Also attend the grand opening of ARTiculations (art supplies, workshops, exhibitions). Same night until 10pm. (2928 Dundas St West).
Whether inspired by a character in a contemporary novel or by the ability of thread to link elements together, a narrative quality runs through each of the works in Household Notions. Textiles have a rich history that speaks to women and craft. These multi-layered sculptures explore domestic textiles, (including needlework and crochet) as well as the personal relationships, memories, and attachments that are formed with handmade objects, and the narratives that can be created with them. Alternative mediums such as glass, paper and porcelain expand upon our expectations of conventional textile patterns and constructions. Just as fabrics can degrade and fade with time, some textile references have been deconstructed, leaving residual impressions that reflect upon the absence of the object. Overall themes of exploration in this exhibition include fragility, intimacy, strength and tension.
* Notions are small items for household use such as needles, buttons and thread. A notion can also be a belief, an idea or a whim. (Here’s a household notion for you: Call your mother.)
BiographiesLizz Aston holds an Advanced Diploma from the Sheridan Institute of Technology – Crafts and Design, Textiles Major (2009) and is currently completing a residency at Harbourfront Centre (Artist-in-Residence, Textile Studio). Aston recently received the Kingcrafts/Lady Flavelle Scholarship from the Ontario Crafts Council and her work is currently featured in Love Lace, International Lace Award, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia.Noelle Hamlyn holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2009) and an Advanced Diploma in Crafts and Design, Textile Major, Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (2007). She is currently a member of the Contemporary Textile Co-Op, 401 Richmond, Toronto, Ontario and her work is currently featured in Love Lace, International Lace Award, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, Australia.
Pam Lobb holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art, from the University of Guelph, Ontario (2007) and a Bridging the Gap, Certificate Course, OCAD, Toronto (2009). Lobb has won several awards in 2011 including Best of Show, Art on the Street in Guelph, and Best of Artwork on Paper, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition.Dorie Millerson holds a Master of Fine Arts in Craft, (Textiles), NSCAD University (2003) and is an Associate of the Ontario College of Art & Design (Hon.), Fibre (2000). She has exhibited extensively nationally and internationally and is currently Assistant Professor (CLTA), Faculty of Design, OCAD University, Toronto, Ontario.Amanda Parker holds an Advanced Diploma, Crafts and Design, Glass Program, Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (2010). She also holds a Diploma in Applied Arts, Interior Design also from Sheridan Institute (2002). Parker recently completed a printmaking in glass workshop with Jeffrey Sarmiento, Pratt Fie Arts Center, Seattle, Washington and has been featured in numerous exhibitions in Ontario and British Columbia.
HOURS
Tues by appt.
Wednesday and Saturday 11am – 6pm
Thursday and Friday 11am – 7pm
TELEPHONE BOOTH GALLERY
3148 Dundas Street West – Toronto – Ontario – M6P 2A1
(The Junction, Dundas at St. John’s Rd.)
T 647 270 7903 – www.telephoneboothgallery.ca
Contact: Sharlene Rankin, Director
sharlene@telephoneboothgallery.ca
1 Comment
Thank you for this thoughtful and well written post. Most appreciated!