Namaste The Reality of Abstraction

from October 2020 Issue 143

October Forecasts

Barry StrasbourgThompson can trace the lines of his artistic heritage back a long way. Seated in his new studio and gallery space in the Chemainus Community Market, he cites a lineage that goes back three generations and more.

“My grandmother had her arts certificate at fifteen, her teaching certificate at sixteen,” he said. “But in those days, women artists were not accepted into the Royal Academy,” he added. Which meant she ‘flunked’ her submission for entry due to ‘one tiny flaw’.

Things have improved on that front since, but making a go of it is still an everyday challenge for artists of every gender, in any genre. But, Strasbourg-Thompson has been self-employed as an artist full time, since taking the leap after completing his longpostponed arts degree some 20 years ago. His October-November Namaste show at Rainforest Arts – RainForestArts.ca – will display the creative output of an abstract painter and workshop instructor, whose passion is the translation of inner vision into line, colour and structure. Strasbourg-Thompson describes himself as a process painter – he doesn’t have a definite idea what’s going to emerge when he sets out to do a work, but he sets out from a point of inspiration. “I’ll start with a basic form, and experiment with that form,” he said, surrounded by his Namaste canvases.

“The Namaste series started out as a meditative image based on a Celtic Cross. The form of the Celtic Cross became the form for the paintings and it expanded into everything that’s there, it’s in every one of the paintings, different expressions of it.” Overlaying is part of his study, an approach to art he learned

from painter Lucy Lappard. The Celtic Cross is an iconic image, overlaid by Strasbourg-Thompson’s 21st Century responses to it as a meaningful, historic symbol. “I take images from art history, pre-history – there’s a piece here that’s got a triangle in it from 25,000 years ago – so I’m overlaying some contemporary painting ideas, and new materials onto ancient images.” Pleasure is in the eyes of the beholders, as far as Strasbourg-Thompson is concerned, and it’s their pleasure he hopes to activate. “I expect them to experience pleasure,” he said. “That’s what my definition of the goal of art is, it’s pleasure.” That can be stimulated by vibrant colours, shapes, social commentary, all sorts of artistic ‘values’. Is he succeeding? StrasbourgThomson thinks so. “This work is not everybody’s cup of tea,” he said, “but the majority of people who are coming through here are commenting how much they enjoy it.”

So you be the judge. Drop into Rainforest Arts, 9781 Willow Street, for the Namaste show. Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 11 AM to 4 PM. craigspence.ca

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THE POG SHOW Portals Gallery in the Community Centre at 2687 James Street, Duncan runs until October 3

The Printmakers Only Group invites you to their annual show for 2020. Four like-minded artists formed the group in 1989 and all four of those artists are still productive members. This year’s show will centre around the theme - “The Four Elements - Earth, Fire, Water and Air.” The group has a membership, on average, of twelve to fifteen printmakers that have a diversity of selftaught artists as well as fine arts professional.

Their works include printmaking techniques such as etching, monoprint, monotype, woodcut, linocut, drypoint, mezzotype and other surprises. The POG mandate has always been to exhibit their work and to help enlighten, educate, and or introduce the public to the aspects of original printmaking versus various forms of commercial reproductions. This year’s show is very colourful and represents the work of twelve of our members exhibiting hand-pulled original prints. These members include Charlotte Haggart, Beverlee McLeod, Edie Miller, Janine Duns, Jim Malo, Lynn Starter, Kathie Fielding, Susan Bigotte, Trudy Kungold Ammann and Susan Law. Some new techniques were explored by some of our members this year.

CVAC galleries reopened their doors on September 8, 2000. Thanks to the Portals gallery the group is able to exhibit their latest works. The gallery intent: “Through art and culture we illuminate inner lives, encourage new ways of thinking and inspire spectacular potential” allowing the artists to express their creativity and show their diversity. Come join us for a graphic visual experience.

Submitted by Lynn Starter

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