quiet places
bev ellis, debra frances & sue gordon
on view in gallery: august 11 - september 29, 2022
artist talk & opening reception: 6:00p, august 11
ccbc shop & gallery
These three artists are developing links between ceramics, encaustic painting, printmaking and bookbinding. They seek to discover a unified contemporary use of conventional materials in both an unconventional and traditional practice. Their cultural and personal narrative is concerned with the substance of things, and the nature of each medium and its structure and feel. Each are exploring ideas of containment, wholeness and hope. Rather than despair over the loss of or destruction of the environment, while realizing that much more can be discussed, they choose instead to celebrate the physical properties and mythical histories to remind viewers of the constant beauty and strength inherent in the world of trees.
Ellis, Frances and Gordon are three Western Canadian artists with many years of experience between them: Ellis, an award-winning ceramic sculptor from BC; Frances, an experienced Manitoba bookbinding artist; and Gordon, a painter/printmaker using encaustic medium. The three artists have recently begun combining their talents and expertise to build unique book sculptures. While creating a symbiotic understanding of how each element is crucial to the final result, the artists discuss form, content and meaning. They separately form ceramic covers, wood inserts and encaustic paintings and prints. These are then bound into functional books. All three artists use materials sourced from places meaningful to them. Land, trees, seas and skies become books which contain their combined efforts to remind the viewers of their own experiences with the Canadian landscape.
