A Thriving Arts and Cultural Community
BEETLE-MANIA & DANCE IN THE SUN SUSIE CIPOLLA & GAIL JOHNSON AT Aquamaris Art Gallery
Red Power, Acrylic on Canvas, 36” x 48” by Susie Cipolla
B
aby, you can drive THIS car….. Beep-beep, beepbeep, yeah! Revving from the fringes with the retro-vibe and the spirit of adventure, the cars are back upstairs in the old
Duncan Garage thanks to the whimsical new arrivals by the Canadian artist Susie Cipolla. Initially introduced into our gallery and to the art lovers in the Cowichan Valley through her striking abstract paintings, Susie Cipolla is sure to delight and take many a viewer on a joyful journey down the memory lanes of youth with her representational interpretations of the car that got big by “Thinking Small.” Affectionately known as the Bug, it made an undeniable imprint on our collective consciousness as a symbol of the 60’s, while its larger cousin, colloquially known as the Bus, became the icon of counterculture and rebellion. Painted in acrylic on canvas, Susie’s colourful assembly, which includes two large pieces, pays homage to the
To Serve The Earth, Acrylic on Canvas (Diptych), 48” x 72” by Gail Johnson
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Along For The Ride, Acrylic on Canvas, 10” x 10” by Susie Cipolla
adorable curvy Beetle and its innocuous successor, but also honours the 60’s ethos of “small is beautiful” in form of eight little gems measuring 10”x 10” and 12” x12”. Together they give an anthropomorphic wink to the hippy crouching in us all and to the good years of footloose and care-free living. Echoing that free-spirited energy, wander-lust and the connection to nature is the flower power of two impressive, bold and beautiful arrivals by the Vancouver Island artist Gail Johnson. Inspired by a road trip of her own and depicting sunflowers in a misty field,
Gail’s 48” x 72” diptych “To Serve The Earth” is a magnificent statement piece rendered in her signature style and saturated palette that capitalizes on the dynamic interplay of blues and yellows. Gail’s flamboyant 60”x 48” abstracted poppies painting, “Dance In The Sun”, delivers stunning visual choreography of round shapes and sun-kissed colours with effortless fluidity. Aquamaris Art Gallery Upstairs in the historic Duncan Garage Building (Level entry from the back) Suite 202 - 330 Duncan Street (250) 597-2798 aquamarisartgallery.com
