Art
Colour is key in upcoming Abstract X2 art exhibition at Chilliwack Cultural Centre – Chilliwack Progress
Not many people see the beauty in plants as they die off at the end of the season, but Chilliwack artist Lorrie Wager does – she’s attracted to the allure of nature year-round and then transfers what she sees onto canvas.
“It starts with a visual attraction and ends with a visceral experience,” Wager said.
Her art will be on display along with work by Vancouver artist Marion-Lea Jamieson in Abstract X2, the next exhibition being installed at the O’Connor Group Art Gallery in the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. It is presented by the Chilliwack Visual Artists Association (CVAA).
Wager’s work stems from nature and falls in between abstract and realism. She calls them abstracted still-lives and some are drawn from “sticking my head in [her neighbour] Mel’s tree.”
“You can identify a lot of the stuff in it, but it’s not realism,” she said.
She describes her paintings like the viewer is looking through a bird blind.
“I want people to feel that they’re part of it. Instead of standing back as an observer, you’re closer to it and inside it.”
Wager started her arts career a little later in life. At the age of 30, she went to school at the Alberta College of Art. She then worked as an arts programmer at both The ACT Arts Centre in Maple Ridge and the Vancouver Park Board.
Throughout her profession, she always had a studio to keep her busy.
When she retired and moved to Chilliwack two years ago, she converted her loft into her new creative space. She recalls how eager she was to start painting when she moved into her new home by the Vedder River.
With supplies still packed away in boxes, Wager grabbed the first “canvas” she came across – fabric interfacing.
All of her pieces that will be in Abstract X2 are painted on interfacing, a type of material used in between two layers of fabric – such as shirt collars – to stiffen parts of a garment. When the paint touches the interfacing, it cannot be controlled as it bleeds out in any direction.
Some of the finished interfacing will be hung unframed, allowing them to move and flow freely, while others have been glued to wood panels.
Her paintings of detailed bits of nature include wild fires through lavender, blueberry bushes and cherry trees.
“They’re beautiful at any stage of their life cycle,” she said of one piece featuring small, round tansy flowers.
Wager is drawn to textures and shapes. Her multimedia pieces include bits of tracing paper for flowers and tiny balls of embroidery thread for berries.
But the first thing that catches her eye is the colour of things outside. Fellow artist Marion-Lea Jamieson agrees.
“We have the same philosophy on colour,” Wager said.
Although the two have never met in person, their works complement each other well. The CVAA saw the similarities in their work and paired the two of them together after they both applied for the call for entry.
Jamieson uses large brushes loaded with oil paint to create a sense of colour and form flowing in time and space. Areas of colour create recognizable or improvisational forms of abstraction.
“While my current work has a conceptual motivation, I also want to communicate the joy of colours, lines and forms depicted in oil paint to communicate at a visceral rather than an intellectual level,” Jamieson said.
Abstract X2, featuring the work of Chilliwack artist Lorrie Wager and Vancouver artist Marion-Lea Jamieson will be on display at the art gallery in the Cultural Centre from Jan. 4 to Feb. 8. Opening reception is on Saturday, Jan. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday. Admission is free.
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Lorrie Wager of Chilliwack is one of two artists featured in upcoming exhibition Abstract x2 at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. (Jenna Hauck/ The Progress)
(Lorrie Wager)
(Lorrie Wager)
Marion-Lea Jamieson uses large brushes loaded with oil paint to create a sense of colour and form flowing in time and space. Areas of colour create recognizable or improvisational forms of abstraction. (Submitted)
(Marion-Lea Jamieson)
(Marion-Lea Jamieson)
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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