Feeling lost in the doldrums of winter? If so, a visit to the Mad & Noisy Gallery’s Elemental Truths exhibit may inspire a cure.
The exhibit, which runs from March 3 until April 2, examines methodologies of abstraction and minimalism using a variety of mediums.
Abstraction and minimalism are related in that they are both reductive, toying with the relationship between “truth” and what is used to represent it.
Jordan Eveland, one of the artists featured in the show, draws inspiration from feeling, taking larger concepts or images and breaking them down into rudimentary shapes and colors.
According to Liz Eakins, whose work is also featured, when viewing abstract or minimalist art, one is not necessarily seeing something that they recognize. However, because the works are so elemental, the viewer informs the piece, reacting on an individual level.
“You have to trust your artistic choices and not buy into social pressures,” said Eakins of creating abstract art. “But you also have to trust that the audience will engage in your work. A lot of times the artist does all the work for the viewer, but this [type of art] allows them to have their own reaction.”
Eakins’ work relies heavily on texture as a mode of expression. One of the pieces that will be featured in the show involved making thousands of stitches that echo lines of text. The words are partially obscured and, according to Eakins, the emphasis moves from the words themselves to the shape of the lines that they create on the page.
“If one person gets what I’m trying to do, I’ll be thrilled,” said Eakins.
The gallery has done themed shows in the past, but they tended to feature all member artists, forcing some to create works in genres or styles outside of their wheelhouse.
But Jill Price, who came onboard as curator of the gallery last July, believes it is important that smaller groups of member artists be given the opportunity to present their works in a themed show that caters to their style.
According to Price, themed shows are also important because they give the audience a context for understanding the art that is presented, helping public galleries to perform what she considers to be their duty: educating the public.
In addition to Eakins and Eveland, both from Creemore, the Elemental Truths show will include work from Barrie-based abstract painter Claudia McKnight, Toronto-based minimalist furniture maker Brett Lundy, Barrie-based jewelry maker DoriAnne Ross, Barrie-based encaustic artist Jenn Smith, and Collingwood-based experimental photographer James Stacey.
An opening reception will take place on Saturday, March 3 from 2 to 5 pm.