Simplicity,
Nostalgia & The Art of Memory
by James Downe
Today on the CBC, on the show called "Spark", there was a good bit on a book entitled 'Personal Connections in the Digital Age'. To sum it up, it spoke to the notions that we allow our digital devices to manage our memories. Birthdays, schedules, love letters, photographs, remembering these aspects of ourselves and our lives is no longer our responsibility. There were good point on either side, for this debate. It got me thinking about how I would put into words how I felt about the art show I saw this weekend. Allow me to explain.
First, the show: Colin Carney & Ian McLean - "Here, Then and There"
Second, the gallery: Forest City Gallery in London, Ontario
I had never been to Forest City Gallery before. The opening was last Friday night, November 4. Both Colin and Ian were there, and in good form. The gallery was comfortably full, just crowded enough to manoeuvre through the people to make you feel it was worthwhile to do so. The pieces were arranged rather simply. One wall was all Ian, his work larger oil paintings, gestural and colourful, with a hint of nostalgia represented by armchairs, pools and camper trailers that reminded me of decades gone by. Another wall was Colin, his digital prints layered and swirling, as if both artists works were critiquing themselves. There they were, face to face, opposed in media, tone, scale, depth, and yet there was something which connected them. Call it nostalgia, call memory, or just calm simplicity.
I'd like to take a moment and express my appreciation for how approachable Ian was. His works deserve much more, though for me it is at a personal level. His work resonated with me. I couldn't help it. Painting holds a special place in my heart, and when it's done well it is impossible for me to ignore. I spoke briefly with Ian, him telling me a story of inspiration and uncertainty. In the end it came down to this: quit wasting time and do what you love. If you want to paint, paint. As often as you can. Get it out there, and don't let indecision hinder your abilities. This, mind you, came to him from an established artist he looked to, and the realization came. Even success does not stop uncertainty. Not when the purpose for an artist is to search for answers, to look inward and question those things you find.
The show was elegant and simple, and yet I realize there is so much more there as my own memories of childhood days gone by come slowly trickling back. The show. "Here, Then and There" is on until December 10, 2011 at Forest City Gallery in London, Ontario
by James Downe, The Charcoal Maquette, November 8, 2011
by James Downe
Today on the CBC, on the show called "Spark", there was a good bit on a book entitled 'Personal Connections in the Digital Age'. To sum it up, it spoke to the notions that we allow our digital devices to manage our memories. Birthdays, schedules, love letters, photographs, remembering these aspects of ourselves and our lives is no longer our responsibility. There were good point on either side, for this debate. It got me thinking about how I would put into words how I felt about the art show I saw this weekend. Allow me to explain.
First, the show: Colin Carney & Ian McLean - "Here, Then and There"
Second, the gallery: Forest City Gallery in London, Ontario
I had never been to Forest City Gallery before. The opening was last Friday night, November 4. Both Colin and Ian were there, and in good form. The gallery was comfortably full, just crowded enough to manoeuvre through the people to make you feel it was worthwhile to do so. The pieces were arranged rather simply. One wall was all Ian, his work larger oil paintings, gestural and colourful, with a hint of nostalgia represented by armchairs, pools and camper trailers that reminded me of decades gone by. Another wall was Colin, his digital prints layered and swirling, as if both artists works were critiquing themselves. There they were, face to face, opposed in media, tone, scale, depth, and yet there was something which connected them. Call it nostalgia, call memory, or just calm simplicity.
I'd like to take a moment and express my appreciation for how approachable Ian was. His works deserve much more, though for me it is at a personal level. His work resonated with me. I couldn't help it. Painting holds a special place in my heart, and when it's done well it is impossible for me to ignore. I spoke briefly with Ian, him telling me a story of inspiration and uncertainty. In the end it came down to this: quit wasting time and do what you love. If you want to paint, paint. As often as you can. Get it out there, and don't let indecision hinder your abilities. This, mind you, came to him from an established artist he looked to, and the realization came. Even success does not stop uncertainty. Not when the purpose for an artist is to search for answers, to look inward and question those things you find.
The show was elegant and simple, and yet I realize there is so much more there as my own memories of childhood days gone by come slowly trickling back. The show. "Here, Then and There" is on until December 10, 2011 at Forest City Gallery in London, Ontario
by James Downe, The Charcoal Maquette, November 8, 2011