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Operated by the Calgary Contemporary Arts Society IN
SEARCH OF THE HUMAN ESSENCE: |
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March
14 - May 4, 2002
Many forms, styles, concepts and philosophies are represented in this exhibition ranging from the hyper-realistic images by Calgary-based Terry Gregoraschuk, and Sarnia's Jane Hunter, images addressing social and political issues by Edith Bourget of St. Jacques, N.B., Calgary's Phyllis Ljuden-Elderkin and Jean Ann Pederson, aspects of over-urbanization and urban culture by Toronto-based Rudolf Stussi and Calgary's David Cadman, through symbolism of Jacqueline Damato from Chatsworth, Ont. and Calgary-based June Montgomery to colourfield abstractions of Calgary's Brent Laycock and Toronto-based Ray Cattell and Pat Fairhead, to name just a few.
Jacek
Malec Brent
Laycock CANADIAN
SOCIETY OF PAINTERS IN WATER COLOUR
Paul Duval, the noted art commentator, once wrote: ". by some sorcery of its own, the Society manages to bring together official academicians, established 'independents', and young experimental painters. This last feature is one of the most valuable and commendable functions of the Society. The CSPWC is consistently on the alert for fresh life reaching down even further and striving harder to present talent than probably any other national group .". Today, the CSPWC is comprised of over 200 of Canada's finest painters. Current membership includes well-known artists, such as Brian Atyeo, Tony Batten, John Bennett, Stan Blodgett, Ray Cattell, Terry Gregoraschuk, John Harvie, Mel Heath, Helen Mackie, Jack Reid, Robert Sinclair, and Vivian Thierfelder, to name just a few.
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In
Search of the Human Essence, the national juried exhibition of the
works by the members of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour
(CSPWC), examines some aspects of the human condition at the pivotal
moment in the history of humankind. This is the first - to
our knowledge - truly thematic presentation in the history of this
national art organization. CSWPC member artists were given
the opportunity to respond to this theme through expressions in
water based media. In this exhibition, the definition of "watercolour"
was expanded to include most water-based media, such as acrylic,
gouache, and inks in addition to traditional transparent watercolour.
Organized
by the Triangle Gallery in partnership with the Alberta/Prairies
Region of the Canadian Society of Painters in Watercolour, this
exhibition is an exciting survey of an oft-recurring theme in the
art. Thirty-five submissions (including 196 paintings)
from across Canada were examined by the jury, and 19 artists were
selected - through the jury process - to present their works in
this exciting national exhibition. There was a lot to choose from,
and the selection had not been easy. The jury looked first for the
artistic merit, originality, and clear articulation of a point of
view. They selected what they believed were among the most striking,
acerbic, and well-articulated images in an arsenal of iconographic
and conceptual ordnance. 
The
selected artists are: Janet Baker (Mississauga, Ontario),
Edith Bourget (St. Jacques, New Brunswick), David Cadman (Calgary,
Alberta), Ray Cattell (Toronto, Ontario), Neville Clarke (Ajax,
Ontario), Diana May Dabinett (Torbay, Newfoundland), Jacqueline
Damato (Chatsworth, Ontario), Pat Fairhead (Toronto, Ontario), Linda
Finn (Elliot Lake, Ontario), Terry Gregoraschuk (Calgary, Alberta),
Wendy Hoffman (Toronto, Ontario), Jane Hunter (Sarnia, Ontario),
Cynthia Kemerer (Toronto, Ontario), Brent R. Laycock (Calgary, Alberta),
Phyllis Ljuden-Elderkin (Calgary, Alberta), Petros Martin (Toronto,
Ontario), June Montgomery (Calgary, Alberta), Jean Ann Pederson
(Calgary, Alberta), Rudolf Stussi (Toronto Ontario). 
In
Search for the Human Essence embraces the rich philosophical and
conceptual diversity in a collection of 54 works by 19 respected
contemporary Canadian artists working in a watercolour medium. This
national presentation not only explores and documents the textures
and complexity of life in the economically and politically charged
world, but also provides viewers with a range of visual perspectives
and visual experiences, each speaking to us in a different, yet
expressive way. 
The
Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC) has carved
its distinguished niche in the history of Canadian art. On
November 11, 1925, Fred Bridgen (considered as the "dean" of Canadian
watercolour) as well as A.J. Casson and Franklin Carmichael, both
considered radical artists of that era, initiated the Canadian Society
of Painters in Water Colour in the Arts & Letters Club in Toronto.
Over the years, the Society has attracted a number of key Canadian
artists such as: Carl Schaefer, Andre Bieler, David Milne, Jack
Bush, Jock Macdonald, Jack Shadbolt and Doris McCarthy. 
In
order to elevate the profile of watercolour art on the Canadian
scene, the Society has a busy schedule of juried open and member
exhibitions as well as a series of stimulating watercolour symposia
held in various parts of the country. For the past many years, the
Society has established a diploma collection of "best works" from
each elected member. But perhaps the most celebrated collection
of work by the Society is the special selection of members' watercolour
paintings celebrating the Society's 60th Anniversary. These works
are currently included in the Royal Collection of H.M. the Queen
at the Royal Library in Windsor Castle, U.K. 
The
Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour is proud of its rich
heritage as well as the opportunity to mark the transition into
the new century with this milestone exhibition at the Triangle Gallery
of Visual Arts in Calgary. 