When we think about colour, winter isn't the first season to come to mind unless we are anticipating the impending exposure of the interlocking colours of the five Olympic rings! In this retrospective collection, painter Ken Wesman exploits those five colours that signify the five continents that compete in the games. Sports and art have merged on large canvasses, presenting the lifelong passion for self-taught Canadian-born artist/innovator Wesman.
Originally a graphic artist, Wesman is known for his colourful athletics-inspired images and has a long history with "The Big Games." In 1988 he was commissioned to create seven official images for the Calgary Winter Games. Later that year, he was asked to produce images for the Olympic Summer Games in Seoul, South Korea. Each resulted in exhibit sellouts with inclusions into both the Calgary and Seoul Olympic halls of fame.
Then in 2003, after the announcement that Vancouver/Whistler had been awarded the 2010 games, Wesman eagerly began his quest to inspire the public to support Canada's international endeavours and encourage our athletes by painting this themed celebration of winter competitors.
"Colour is Life" is Wesman's philosophy as he continues to develop his energetic fusion style that is characteristic of modern graphics blended with an impressionistic style, using vivid primary colours to depict "life's thrilling and memorable moments."
Wesman's work is collected internationally with corporate and individual purchases, a testament to the desirability of the artist's distinctive and dynamic art.
In the cases, Lisa-Scarlett Cruji presents The Paper Word Play Project, a collection of 18 mixed-media pieces inspired by paper, books, words and expression. Cruji's word play art assemblages are layered (physically and symbolically) allegories of life, with titles such as "T is for Togetherness," "E is for Exhilaration" and "A is for Ambition." Each individual framed piece tells a story using creative metaphors, provoking contemplation and discovery.
As a creator, Cruji considers herself curious, honest and revealing, which is apparent once you have spent some time observing her designs. She acknowledges that her creations have evolved in the way that this show is full of colour with an upbeat theme.
"I started collecting old photographs from antique stores and paper shows and I thought they'd look interesting with the Asian paper I love to work with," Cruji says.
When I asked her about conscious artistic appositions and her creative process, she replied, "I don't really work this way. Nothing is as contrived as this; it all just happens I get an idea, I experiment, and I come up with the work."
It is apparent that she intuitively combines related elements and works within the parameters of colour themes and congregated composition.
A relative newcomer to the Sea to Sky Corridor, Cruji has been creating for over twenty years. She is a writer, musician and a member of Visuals, The Squamish Valley Artists Society.
Lisa-Scarlett Cruji is the author of The "How Did You Die? Show (Fictional Tales for the Un-Dead) 2013.
Wesman's "Retrospective 2010" collection and Cruji's "The Paper Word Play Project" are on display at the Library Foyer Gallery through March 3.
Check out her artisan stall at the Farmers' Market and contact her at [email protected]
Toby Jaxon is the curator of the Library Foyer Gallery. She can be reached at [email protected]
