CANADIANISMS: A Five Year Retrospective by The Art of Brandy Saturley

CANADIANISMS: A Five Year Retrospective Exhibition 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 6 | B R A N D Y S A T U R L E Y

C A N A D I A N I S M S : A Five Year Retrospective Copyright 2016 The Art of Brandy Saturley The paintings presented in this catalogue were created over a ďŹ ve year period (2011-2016) using primarily acrylic paint on canvas, with occasional collage elements to assist in deepening the narrative of the piece. No part of this catalogue may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Published by The Art of Brandy Saturley www.brandysaturley.com

CANADIANISMS: A Five Year Retrospective Presented by Strathcona County Gallery @501 January 6 to February 26, 2017

Gallery Didactic by Brenda Barry Byrne, MFA, BFA - Strathcona County Gallery @501 Curator CANADIANISMS: A HALF DECADE INSPIRED BY CANADA

Welcome to 2017, Canada’s Sesquicentennial year celebrating 150 years as a nation. Reflecting on our history and where we are going, this is a good time to consider what it means to be Canadian. The question of national identity is complicated; Canada is a county made up of First Nations Peoples as well as immigrants from all over the world. The exhibits at Gallery @ 501 for the Sesquicentennial year celebrate not only our differences, but the complexity of what it means to be Canadian. Gallery @ 501’s first exhibit is titled Canadianisms: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada by Victoria artist Brandy Saturley. Saturley paints Canadian Contemporary Realism, in particular Canadian culture & identity. Her paintings are inspired by Canadian culture and include: goalie masks, Canadian athletes, the Canadian flag, the Montreal Canadiens, the Alberta Rockies, Molson Canadian beer and Canadian wildlife. Her works also reference “Pan-Canadian” branding such as Hudson’s Bay Company and Tim Hortons. Canadian iconography such as mittens, snow, toques and canoes are prevalent in the works in this exhibit; furthering our long list of Canadian identity under the guise of “Eh”. Saturley’s paintings not only have a sense of humour, but also reference famous works of art. Canadiens Gothic references American Gothic and Death of a Rookie, Rise of a Hero references The Death of Marat. American Gothic (1930) is a painting by American (Iowa) artist Grant Wood. The painting depicts a farmer and someone you may assume to be his wife standing in front of their house. The farmer is dressed simply and holding a pitch fork, the wife is dressed simply as well, adorned by an apron. In reality, the people in this painting are not as they seem, they are models (artist’s sister and town dentist) that Wood selected to replicate what a typical person living in Iowa would look like. Like Wood, the man and woman in the painting are also natives of the small Midwestern town of Eldon, IA. We see an awkwardness and discomfort in the painting; this is due to the fact that the man and the woman never actually posed for the painting together but were painted on separate occasions by Wood. In the background we see a farmhouse in the architectural style of “American Gothic”, the suburban style of home popular during the Depression era. This is intended to mimic the vaulted Gothic architecture of cathedrals found in Europe. In American Gothic, Wood uses the house and its perspective owners as a satirical outlook on American culture at the time.

Saturley’s Canadiens Gothic (from the People of Canada Portrait Project) has a similar setting to Wood’s American Gothic. Shown is a hockey player (Reg) in a Canadiens hockey jersey, holding a hockey stick. Beside him is, we assume, his wife (Penny) wearing a “Hoodie” or a “Bunny Hug” if you are from Saskatchewan. The figures are standing not in front of their home, but in front of a building titled FORUM, "the most storied building in hockey history" and home of the Montreal Canadiens hockey club. Unlike Wood’s American Gothic, the figures in Saturley’s Canadiens Gothic did pose together (selfie taken by Penny) and are a couple living in Manitoba. Replacing the pitch fork with a hockey stick, and replacing the simple but staunch black jacket with a hockey jersey, evokes a level of relaxation on one’s day off.This contrasts the work element (farming) with play (hockey); or, comparatively speaking, a way of life (farming) juxtaposed with the Canadian way of life (hockey). Penny’s attire also gives to the notion of comfort and does not attest to any domestic fortitude. Saturley’s Death of a Rookie, Rise of a Hero is a take on the political painting The Death of Marat by French painter Jacques-Louis David, 1793. In Death of a Rookie, Rise of a Hero we see Oilers #5 (Steve Smith) sitting up in a tub surrounded with empty beer bottles while holding a letter and a pen. The letter that Smith is holding states: “Dear Grant, I have no words…, I’m sorry. So very sorry...” This letter is in response to Smith’s rookie year when he scored a critical goal on his own goalie in the divisional final that allowed the Calgary Flames to move forward to the Stanley Cup. Grant Fuhr was the Oilers goalie that Smith scored on. The French revolutionary leader Jean-Paul Marat in the painting The Death of Marat is found in the same position, but, unlike Smith, Marat has been murdered by political enemy Charlotte Corday.Corday blamed Marat for the September Massacre (a wave of killings in Paris and other cities in late summer 1792 during the French Revolution). The huge backlash received by Smith after scoring on his own team can be perceived as similar to the actions of Marat against his own people. But this is where the analogy ends; Smith recovered and went on to be a valued player by the Oilers and when they won the Stanley Cup the following year, Wayne Gretzky (opposite of Marat’s Charlotte Corday), handed him the cup to skate a lap at the arena. Death of a Rookie, Rise of a Hero is about perseverance and continuing on when the chips are down. The artworks found in Canadianisms: A Half Decade Inspired by Canada create an open dialogue of what it means to be a Canadian. They are informed by our iconography, our passion, our humour, our tolerance and kindness. In closing..., “Our hopes are high. Our faith in the people is great. Our courage is strong. And our dreams for this beautiful country will never die.” Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau 3

Table of Contents 5

Foreward by the artist, Brandy Saturley

Artist Biography

#ICONICCANUCK

For The People

The Great Outdoors

There's No Place Like Home

Paddle Me Into New Territory

Connecting Canada

Go Canada Go!

The Journey Continues

Thanks and Acknowledgments

Foreward

"From the most rural to the grandest; I am cultivating a visual language that is distinctly Canadian." In 2010, the Vancouver Olympic Games brought an energy and enthusiasm, in a way the west coast of Canada has never seen. As a visual artist living and working on Vancouver Island, I exist in a unique biosphere influenced by the ocean, native culture, the great outdoors, and enjoyed year-round thanks to the mild climate. There is a disconnect from the rest of the country and I am certainly a long way from the capital city of Ottawa, or the mecca of Toronto. The Games stirred up something inside of me, something that I had forgotten, something about being proud of my Canadian roots, and a need to understand my country on a deeper level. This was the birth of a series of paintings I later titled, #ICONICCANUCK, now numbering over seventy-five paintings inspired by Canada. With this body of work, my initial interest in exploring the landscapes and popular culture of Canada slowly became an education and experiment of sorts. I found myself not just painting Canadian iconography and sport, but rather trying to bring two worlds together using art. I began with painting a goalie mask on the Canadian flag, the composition influenced by a Georgia O’Keeffe painting. With this painting alone I began reaching two audiences; fans of hockey and those with an interest and education in historical art. The conversations that grew from this singular painting set me on a journey of marrying influences of Canadian popular culture with compositions of well known, historical paintings. Over the past five years this body of work has taken on it's own life and continues to move into new territory, expanding my reach across Canada. In 2014, I began creating a parallel body of work, an off-shoot of my core comment on Canada. This new project is focused on The People of Canada, and is a collaboration with Canadians, where they provide reference material through their own photographs and stories, and I create their portrait. The People of Canada Portrait Project is now five paintings strong, with more than twenty planned. This project got me moving, physically, and got me thinking about Canada's Sesquicentennial. When I began painting 'Canadianisms' on canvas our 150th anniversary of confederation was far from mind. Over the past few years it became apparent that 2017 would be the ideal time to present and share my work of the past five years. With these things in mind I took my camera and my notebook on the road. Reaching out to contemporaries and connections across the country, I began to build a physical connection to the land, people and places of our great country. My 2016 began with the opening of the Audain Art Museum in Whistler, and the galleries and artist run centres of Vancouver and North Vancouver. I celebrated Canada Day in the capital city of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife. Moving across Canada over the duration of the year including; Edmonton, Winnipeg, Brandon, Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. Developing real life connections to the people, artists, galleries, museums, and land across the country. We have talked about Canada, about what we love and what we want to change. We have talked about what we create and why we create. We have talked about ideas for future collaborations. On each journey I write daily, record video, and photos. Coming home each time to Vancouver Island filled with new ideas about Canada. From the most rural to the grandest; I am cultivating a visual language that is distinctly Canadian. Brandy Saturley, 2016 5

Biography

Brandy Saturley was born in Victoria, Canada in 1972. She is a prolific painter, travelling photographer, and multiple award winning Canadian artist. Saturley has exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions at art fairs, in public and private art galleries, and in unique corporate venues across Canada. “In painting my goal is to create an initial visceral reaction and connection using something symbolically familiar that draws the viewer into the painting. As the viewer spends time with the painting the story unfolds as the details are discovered. Telling the story through the use of vivid colour and realistic details set on backgrounds of soft organic shapes and pattern. These paintings have been referred to as, 'Canadianism's on canvas or Canadian POP art' I refer to my painting style as ‘Canadian Contemporary Realism’, formed using a narrative process. With my compositions I focus on symbolism, dynamic structure, and a bold use of colour to communicate the story. My compositions are influenced by historical art, flags, sportswear, design, native culture, and the details of nature.” ~ Brandy Saturley, 2016 DIALOGUE & DISCUSSION: Saturley’s paintings of Canada, or ‘Canadianisms’, began to gain exposure through group exhibitions in Victoria and Vancouver, then through live painting demonstrations at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in Calgary, and in solo gallery shows in Edmonton and Victoria. The artwork has been written about and shared widely through print, blogs, and websites including; CBC Arts, Reader’s Digest Our Canada Magazine, Forbes.com, AllHabs.net, Dennis-Kane.com, Puckstruck.com, GalleriesWest.ca, Canadianartjunkie.com, A Portrait of The Visual Arts in Canada, SALT Magazine, and Emboss Magazine. Paintings from this body of work have been purchased by the Colart Collection (Larry Rossy Trust) in Quebec. Saturley is also a contributing blog writer for ArtInCanada.com, and has written for ArtistsInCanada.com. Saturley's self-published works and portfolio are on file with ARTEXTE in Montreal, Canada. CANADIANISMS: A Five Year Retrospective is a touring exhibition and is being exhibited in CANADIANISMS: A Five Year Retrospective two Alberta Art Galleries in 2017. Strathcona County Gallery @501 in Sherwood Park, outside Edmonton and Okotoks Art Gallery near Calgary, Alberta. For more information about the artist or the artworks contained within this catalogue, please visit: www.brandysaturley.com

#ICONICCANUCK ICONIC: of, relating to, or of the nature of an icon CANUCK: is a slang term for a Canadian, when used by Canadians # : (hashtag #) is a type of label or metadata tag used on social media making it easier to find messages with a specific theme or content

Saint Kanata acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 48" (92 x 122cm) 2011

Goalie's Mask: red, white & Dryden acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 48" (92 x 122cm) 2011

HBC Skull acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 48" (92 x 122cm) 2011 above: detail

Plante Rises | acrylic on canvas | painted around edges 60" x 36" (153 x 92cm) | 2012 14

Lovers In A Dangerous Time acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 36" (92 x 92cm) 2015 16

Death of a Rookie acrylic on canvas painted around edges 31.5" x 31.5" (80 x 80cm) 2012 17

Fear Before Glory acrylic on canvas painted around edges 48" x 36" (122 x 92cm) 2014

The Number Nine acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 36" (92 x 92cm) 2012

For The People: The People of Canada Portrait Project This painting began a new body of work inspired by Canada, an off-shoot of my Canadianisms on canvas. Originally exhibited during Canada 55+ Games at Strathcona County Gallery @501 in 2014. This painting, 'Canadiens Gothic' is my Canadian homage to Grant Wood's famous painting, American Gothic, painted in 1930. You can participate in this collaborative art project by submitting your photo. www.peopleofcanada.ca

Canadiens Gothic acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 48" (92 x 122cm) 2014

The Great Outdoors My paintings often begin with a narrative in mind, but rely on intuition. I use a vivid palette and symbolism to communicate the story. I begin with a central image or focal point in mind, and sketch this idea onto the canvas. About two-thirds of the way into a painting, I abandon the original sketch and let the visual story unfold as intuition takes over. My goal is not to capture a landscape as it exists, nothing compares to the real thing, rather I endeavor to tell the story of the landscape.

Poppies For Louise acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 48" (92 x 122cm) 2012

Golden Ram acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 36" (92 x 122cm) 2013

Keep on Dreaming in The Free World acrylic on canvas painted around edges 40" x 30" (102 x 76cm) 2011

On Guard acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 24" (102 x 76cm) 2011

There's No Place Like Home As 2013 ended with a solo exhibition of my Canadianisms, I came home from Alberta with thoughts about where I had been with this body of work and where I was heading. I began the year with incorporating collage, deepening the connections. There's no place like Canada, a place where I feel I can follow my dreams down a yellow brick road, under a rainbow, and through poppy covered fields.

There's No Place Like Home acrylic on canvas and vintage Canadian Citizenship Brochure painted around edges 36" x 36" (92 x 122cm) 2014

Somewhere Under The Rainbow acrylic on canvas & collage painted around edges 36" x 36" (92 x 92cm) 2014

Leave Your Boots at The Door acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 36" (92 x 92cm) 2016

Dreaming in the Colours of 'Eh' acrylic on canvas & collage - 'O' Canada lyrics sheets painted around edges 36" x 48" (92 x 122cm) 2014

Paddle Me Into New Territory From the rocky mountains of Alberta, to the lakes of Manitoba. From great bodies of water, to backyard stages. Canada is a patchwork nation, not only from aerial views, but also in it's multiculturalism. Deepening the connection to the land and the people.

Ride My Wake acrylic on canvas painted around edges 48" x 36" (122 x 92cm) 2014

Complimentary Canoes | acrylic on canvas | painted around edges 48" x 24" (122 x 61cm) | 2016

Sitting On The Dock at Back Bay acrylic on canvas painted around edges 24" x 24" (61 x 61cm) 2016 34

The Getaway acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 36" (92 x 92cm) 2014 35

Cottage Royalty acrylic on canvas painted around edges 24" x 24" (61 x 61cm) 2016

Horn Glow | Toque Rise | Canoe View | Feathers Over Blanket acrylic on canvas painted around edges 12" x 12" (30 x 30cm) 2015

Patchwork Nation | acrylic on canvas | painted around edges 48" x 36" (122 x 92cm) | 2016 38

Connecting Canada My two favourite things on Earth are Canada and making art. In the act of creating I am seeking knowledge. When the piece is finished, I am seeking connection. Once these paintings leave my studio they take on a new life and new stories are written, through the eyes and minds of the viewers that see them, and my job as the artist is to connect with as many viewers, as possible.

Right:Leaf in Repose acrylic on canvas painted around edges 24" x 24" (61 x 61cm) 2016 Above: detail

RCAF acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 24" (91 x 61cm) 2012 42

Remember Us acrylic on canvas painted around edges 36" x 36" (91 x 91cm) 2014 43

GO Canada GO! I grew up with an artist mother and a sports loving father. I am an unusual mix of sensitive and competitive. I love the feeling of watching a live sporting event. The energy of the crowd, the smell of hot dogs, fries and popcorn. The costumes and painted faces of the hardcore fans. The singing of the national anthems of competing countries. All of this bleeds into the subconscious and flows out onto the canvas. Can you imagine a stadium full of people cheering on an art exhibition? I can.

The Weekend Goalie, The Ideal Arsenal, The Lucky Mitt, The Warm Hug acrylic on canvas painted around edges 12" x 12" (31 x 31cm) 2016

The Reigning Spectator acrylic on canvas painted around edges Diptych | 2-24" x 24" (2-61 x 61cm) Showing two diﬀerent display conﬁgurations 2016

The Journey Continues

I feel my job as a Canadian artist is to further the discussion of contemporary Canadian art through exhibiting art in a variety of both traditional and non-traditional venues. I want art to be accessible, I need art to be accessible, for everyone. From the most rural to the grandest; I am cultivating a visual language that is distinctly Canadian, influenced by the people, the places, the sounds and the tastes I have enjoyed across Canada. Momentum is a funny thing, the more you use it, the more of it you generate. Five years of momentum behind this, born on the 1st of July in 2011 and continuing past our sesquicentennial. The journey continues Canada, I'll see you on the road!

From The Forest to The 'See' acrylic on canvas painted around edges 24" x 36" (61 x 91cm) 2015 48

Thanks and Acknowledgments I would like to extend thanks and acknowledgment to the contributions of a wide arrange of people. Whether supporting my work through; presenting it to the public, publishing articles, supporting the creation, assisting in ďŹ nal details, delivery and display, or just simply oďŹ&#x20AC;ering advice, these people make my work as a full-time visual artist that much sweeter. Gratitude. Brenda Barry Byrne Strathcona County Gallery @501 Strathcona County & Festival Place Cultural Arts Foundation ArtistsinCanada.com Dennis-Kane.com AllHabs Hockey Magazine SALT Magazine Reader's Digest Our Canada Magazine ArtInCanada.com Canada's Sports Hall of Fame Victoria Premium Automobiles Visual Arts Alberta - CARFAC VEVEX Crates Rod Russell Bruce Nagel Andrew Valko Charles Pachter Chris W. Carson Sharon Moore Foster Rick Stephens Dennis Kane Carolyn Camilleri BORBAY Paul Constable Lynda Baxter Jennifer Luckay Penny & Reg Rogers Ed Pierick Mario Siciliano My loyal patrons, collectors, friends, colleagues, and extended family. David & Judy Saturley and my right hand man, Robert Gordon Bain.

CANADIANISMS: A Five Year Retrospective Exhibition 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 6 | B R A N D Y S A T U R L E Y Presented by Strathcona County Gallery @501 Sherwood Park, Alberta January 6 to February 26, 2017

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