Okanagan Eyes Okanagan Wise
Okanagan-ise
“I’ve been all around this world” sang the Grateful Dead or
“I’ve been everywhere, of travel I’ve had my share “crooned Hank
Snow and Johnny Cash. Personally, I too have been around and now
here I am back in the Okanagan where the interested question
most posed to me is -“Why?”
The world is wondrously varied with many cultural experiences to
be had but the human species has proven to be, nonetheless,
loyal to place. It may be that an ethnic colouring with a shade
of politics and socialisation is necessary to our personal
picture for although we may be able to link in to a larger world
than was ever imagined in times gone by - we still love to root
for our team. Okanagan Eyes Okanagan Wise Okanagan-ise is
presented with an enthusiastic and contemporary “yippee!” and
“hurray!”
Artistic synchronicity has garnered the attention of history
when enclaves of artists left their marks on places in degrees
of fame and infamy. Such stories as are hinted at by mention of
Florence during the Renaissance, the Left Bank in Paris, the
Dada-ists, Futurists, Impressionists, The Cedar Tavern in New
York, or Canada’s Group of Seven, The Regina Five or Painters
Eleven are not solely stories of the art objects. Around - and
because of - the art generated, there are tangential narratives
about the gatherings, friendships, adversities, haunts and
flaunts of the artists themselves. With numerous examples of
historical synchronicity, artists identify their own native
ground and this can provoke pride-of-place when, as here in the
Okanagan, it is a fortunate harmonious environ.
Viewing through the lens of proximity can develop a slant, a
‘local vision’ and since art is about perceiving with an
immediate awareness; those who live and work in the Okanagan,
could be attributed with ‘Okanagan Eyes’. It is doubtful that
this vision is not periodically set in comparison against other
places – New York, Berlin, London, Venice or the far-away lands
over which Tony Onley flew or Emily Carr drew but even
when exhibition schedules are challenging with internationality
– artists tend to roost.
A tour of the exhibition, Okanagan Eyes Okanagan Wise
Okanagan-ise, will bring about a state more ‘Okanagan wise’.
Whether there will be an obvious correlation between the visual
voices of these artists or not will be gleaned through the
seeing. Since this exposure takes place here, in the Okanagan,
this taste of cultural fare will enable an understanding and,
once acclimatised, provoke identification – ‘Okanagan-ised’ …
Be it Glenn Clark’s hockey portrait (check the jersey on the
player to the right of the central Glenn Clark – it reads
North Okanagan1) David Alexander’s lively
landscapes, the enigmatic photogravure by Janet Cardiff and
George Bures Miller, the facility between Steve Mennies’ realist
ease and his abstract meanderings, Byron Johnston’s quirky
manipulation of the stuff of quotidian life or the heavy metal
originality of Geert Maas’, Doug Alcock’s or (combined with
glass) David Montpetit’s and Bruce Taiji’s work – it all adds up
to a strong contemporary hit. Then add to the mixture Carolina
Sanchez de Bustamante’s Eye for an Eye, the concentration
of Ann Kipling’s drawing, Leonard Epp’s ceramic narrative, the
painting panache of Joice M. Hall and John Hall, the finesse of
Carl St Jean’s cabinetry, Richard Suarez’s constructions, Jim
Kalnin’s melding of architectonics with nature and Heidi
Thompson’s grand colour field work – and we have a world class
show!
In the Okanagan, the sun and slopes have not distracted the
artistic focus, but nourished it. There is something to be said
for living the good life here in la-la land where Okanagan
Eyes Okanagan Wise Okanagan-ise, is just the tip of the
bountiful cornucopia of creativity.
Okanagan Eyes Okanagan Wise Okanagan-ise,
is sure to have a sequel for the horn of plenty is mighty full
and the gallery too small for a comprehensive over view. Let
this wet your appetite.
Viewing through the lens of proximity can develop a slant, a
‘local vision’ and since art is about perceiving with an
immediate awareness; those who live and work in the Okanagan,
could be attributed with ‘Okanagan Eyes’.
A tour of the exhibition, Okanagan Eyes Okanagan Wise
Okanagan-ise, will bring about a state more ‘Okanagan wise’.
Since this exposure takes place here, in the Okanagan, this
taste of cultural fare will enable an understanding and, once
acclimatised, provoke identification – ‘Okanagan-ised’ …
1. This commentary is written on the eve of the second last game
in the NHL play-offs, while hockey fever is high. |