Recycle works of art The abstract art of creation

Paintings open to interpritation make for bold expressions

 By MAX LECKIE

Abstract art is sometimes a divisive subject, but for Tracy-Lynn Chernaske, it’s the openness to interpretation that excites her.

“Not everybody looks at River and sees a river, right? Not everybody looks at treeline and goes it’s the Northern Lights, right? And I love that. I love hearing what people have to say about it.”

She of course has her own meaning put into each piece.

River was created using setpieces from Hilda’s Yard, a story about a family changing over time as children become adults.

The way that rivers ebb and flow, and tributaries break off and recon- nect reminds her of family ties, Chernaske said. “When I look at River I always think of ... how a family could grow together but also could grow apart”

That connection to nature is common in her work, and Treeline is no exception.

One of Chernaske’s favourite interpretations was very personal to one spectator, who saw it as the ridge near her farm.

“I was like, ‘I’ve never been to that part of B.C. But I love that you identify with it,’” Chernaske said. “It’s not a crazy out there interpretation, But she literally saw a very specific place.”