Art
'It is magical': repurposed art growing in B.C. along with eco-consciousness – Chilliwack Progress
Victoria artist Beverly Hancock used to paint a painting and be done. But now, she cuts it up. And then, she weaves it into something new.
Karen Guilbault gathers pine needles – sometimes she’ll even politely ask city removal not to rake over a spot. She then patiently bundles and weaves them into intricate baskets.
Award-winning fibre artist Martina Edmondson now makes whimsical creations out of nature foragings.
These women are all established artists riding the waves of a rising tide: the growing trend of repurposed art. Essentially, it’s using found or existing objects to create something entirely new.
“It’s a huge trend in the world, but the biggest trend is to use garbage and reuse things that we don’t think are beautiful,” Hancock said. “And to try to make something that no one’s ever seen before out of something you would usually throw out.”
In February, another ‘repurposed’ artist from Victoria, driftwood sculptor Tanya Bub, was at an international exposition of repurposed art in Qatar called the Tadweer Art Exhibition. The exhibit merged the worlds of art and environmental consciousness, stated to be a testament to Qatar’s commitment to sustainability.
For artists who approach art through this lens, the draw lies in reconnecting with the natural world while relinquishing control and embracing spontaneity.
“I start with something that I find really interesting,” Edmondson said of her diverse pieces, which include collage, sculpture and eco printing (using natural materials to dye paper with earthy tones and create imprints). “I might think, oh, maybe this looks a little bit like a face or this could be an eagle. And then my imagination takes a flight.”
She also does embroidery, but, “It’s not pretty embroidery. I guess I don’t do pretty very well. Or, I don’t find it pretty.”
Pretty isn’t the point when approaching art in this manner. “You’re making it for yourself. And I think that comes with age,” Edmondson said.
Hancock, an expressionist and figurative artist who finds it “exhilarating” to rip up and re-imagine her paintings into new works, agreed this is a new era of art-making for her. “It is really interesting to see how artists’ work changes as their situation in life changes.”
A growing eco-consciousness in the arts community
While repurposed art has always been around, all three artists said they’ve seen it growing in popularity, all part of a growing eco-consciousness.
“I think with the way climate change is going, there will be more and more emphasis on, what are we using? What are we doing to the environment?” Edmondson said.
“I’m not saying everybody’s there, but, you know, I have a big following online. It’s a very big topic,” Hancock said.
“Many, many artists would say, ‘There’s no paper towel in my studio. I’m using rags.’ So if you can’t do everything, you’re trying to do something, right? And I think every artist is sharing that information with each other.”
Guilbault primarily uses pine needles to create her baskets. But she also paints stones to feature in the centre of these baskets, and once she’s done painting, she wipes her palette so the paint doesn’t go down the drain.
“You see how we are all thinking about it,” Hancock said. “When I went to art school, what a squiggle of time ago, in the 1970s, nobody talked about that. There wasn’t a single person in the art world that had ever even discussed, what do we do with this paint? Is it bad for the world?”
Experience repurposed art
While the artists just wrapped up a group exhibit at Gage Gallery in March, Beverly Hancock will be exhibiting at Gage again April 2-14 with RAW: Unveiled Layers, which delves into the raw experiences that shape the human condition.
If you are interested in this type of artwork you can also check out art by Gerhard Bär, Martha Haversham, Michelle Reader, Wim Delvoye and Yuken Teruya.
But Hancock, Guilbault and Edmondson would probably also encourage you to try it out for yourself.
“It is magical. After you get going, you go, ‘I could have never thought of that’,” Hancock said.
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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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