Alison Hodson pushes the boundaries of textile use in art with her vibrant and innovative mixed-media pieces, combining photographic elements and fabric.
Using archival inks, Hodson's process starts by printing her photographs onto canvas. She then deconstructs her image, removing areas of the photograph she wishes to enhance with the addition of fabric and stitching. This merging of photographic realism with the inexplicit qualities of fabric creates a mesmerizing juxtaposition that entices the viewer to slow down and explore each large piece - to take a little closer look.
"I am inspired daily by textures, colour patterns, the deterioration of old buildings and the character they hold, trees and the lines created in their bark - my inspirations are truly endless and that is reflective in the broad variety of subject matter in my work," says Hodson.
She admits that her creative stimulation is extensive and that she takes photos everywhere she goes - hence the broad focus of her art. She exploits the uniqueness of her medium to unite her collection of work, always searching for subject matter that can be developed with the addition of textile.
Hodson describes, "Fabric and photography are very opposing mediums and present in all of my work. I have always tried to harmoniously blend the two by carefully deciding what to keep of the original photograph and what to remove and replace with textile."
Imaginative and explorative, Hodson has been doing art for as long as she can remember, but professionally she has been creating and selling her work for the past seven years. With a passion for laughter, Hodson also loves music, film, and most other creative expressions - as well, she hikes, camps, skis and is learning to surf.
Hodson takes on commissioned art works, using either her own photo or the client's digital photo, allowing them to turn their own image and memory into an original piece of art.
For more information, contact (604) 902-5464 or www.alisonhodson.com.
It's easy to presume that North Shore artist Manfred R. Krettek is passionate about fishing, because it shows. As evidence, Krettek presents his ceramic fish in combination with acrylic paintings - scenes from all of those fishing trips to Cox Bay in Tofino or the Squamish River.
Krettek is inspired by his surroundings. "Mainly landscapes, clouds, the sea, rivers and effects of light on objects in nature," he says.
His creative stimulation is simple. "Nothing special. I don't want to pass any messages, I just wish to create art which is pleasant to look at and make the viewer to wish to possess some of my pieces."
Born in Czechoslovakia, Krettek originally studied graphic arts and then lived in Sweden working for Volvo as a model maker on the development of new car bodies. Later, he immigrated to Canada, freelancing as an exhibit designer and a commercial graphic artist, eventually moving to Vancouver and working in the topographical and architectural model making business and then starting up his own architectural millwork company.
Krettek, a relative newcomer at creating fine art, considers himself a contemporary artist as suggested by the slight surreal quality in some of his waterscapes along with the modern stylization of his ceramic fish - where he is exploring form to reduce complexity. One of his goals is to create art that is easy to understand but still render a piece of beauty.
Although in the past Krettek claims to have had an "on again, off again" relationship with art, his plans for the near future are to dedicate most of his time to the visual arts and, of course, go fishing.
For more info, contact (604) 929-8005, ext. 1, or [email protected]
Alison Hodson's textile mixed-media work and Manfred R. Krettek's Landscapes Around Us (acrylic on board) and Fish Out of Water (ceramic sculpture) are on display at the Library Foyer Gallery until Nov. 7.
Toby Jaxon is curator of the Library Foyer Gallery.
