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A Thriving Arts and Cultural Community
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
Baby, 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 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.
Along For The Ride, Acrylic on Canvas, 10” x 10” by Susie Cipolla
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
The Innovative Creations of DEERIN THOMPSON Excellent Frameworks
Excellent Frameworks in Duncan, is proud to feature the exhibition From Birth Until Death May 3 - 28th. This exciting show presents the unrivaled and innovative creations of Darren Webster Thompson - Chuuchuub, aka - Deerin Thompson. From Birth Until Death is intended to reference the balance between life and death, creation and destruction, beauty and ugliness, and the fleeting moments of meaning and insignificance. The exhibition features work that is entirely unparalleled against the backdrop of Pacific Northwest Coast Art, or First Nations art in general, and in the present context Darren is evolving ancient forms, advancing ancestral sensibilities, and placing bold symbols inside time-honoured methods. We are all born into the world wet and disheveled, clinging to life - not yet loose from the embryonic sac. We are born small. We are born with the force of our Ancestors. We are born with the love of our mothers. From Birth Until Death we are clinging to all that is ancient and good.
THE ARTIST Chuuchuub - Darren draws inspiration for his creativity from his renowned uncles Haa’yuups - Ron Hamilton and Tsakwasap - Art Thompson, including many other famous and artistic extended family relatives. Darren’s creative genius reveals a sensitivity that can only be anchored to a past rich in expression, sensibility and originality. His entire body of work is unparalleled, and his artistic ability speaks to an inherent understanding of identity, belonging and beauty. Chuuchuub is an intended chiefly title and it is meant to impart a defined authority, and that he comes from people of significant standing. To this extent Chuuchuub - Darren has dignified his ancestral name through his creative expressions, and in the manner in which he carries himself. His signature Deerin is a nickname given to him by his Uncle Ron Hamilton - Haayuups. When Uncle Ron would see him, he would say with a drawn-out animated tone, “Deeeeeeeeeeeeeerin.”
Ancestral Fears Known and Unknown, Deerin Thompson
Broken Soul Death Box, Deerin Thompson Excellent Frameworks Home of the EJ Hughes Gallery, 115 Kenneth Street 250-746-7112 www.excellentframeworks.ca www.ejhughes.ca
MAY ARTS
EXCELLENT FRAMEWORKS & EJ HUGHES GALLERY
Excellent FrameWorks is Downtown Duncan’s premiere custom framing gallery. We feature reproductions by EJ Hughes as well as original art by BC Artists. 115 Kenneth St., downtown Duncan 250-746-7112 excellentframeworks.ca
AQUAMARIS ART GALLERY
The arrival of spring coincides with many new arrivals in our gallery. From small gift size items to large statement paintings, we are here to assist you with selecting the perfect pieces for your intended setting and occasion. May hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 4:00 pm Suite 202-330 Duncan St. Downtown Duncan 250-597-2798 aquamarisartgallery.com
