Byron Johnston - Begins with Zee

Johnston’s choice of materials is often from sources that we wouldn’t associate with the making of art. For the Headbones exhibition, Johnston will be mounting pieces that include such diverse elements as an antique canoe, a chair and green apples – not altogether mind you. There will be sound elements, movable parts and a large outdoor piece. 

Byron Johnston has been a professor of sculpture in the University of British Columbia Okanagan’s creative studies department for many years. Not only through his own work, but also within his teaching practice, he has inspired many students who have gone on to create works that expand our concept of Fine Arts. 

Without forfeiting invention, curiosity or plain old “fun!” – Byron Johnston pulls up what could be termed ordinary, daily materials into the realm of fine arts with such assurance that the acceptance of his unique and inventive art is impossible to contest. Yet above and beyond the marvel of his daring – he keeps a firm hold on the object as high art.

 Diane Feught’s actual past, present and future have rarefied beginnings. Feught grew up in an Anglican home. As an adult, she lived in a Buddhist priory in Edmonton for seven years where she experienced the lush overlap of philosophical, spiritual and cultural diversity while still living in the heart of a ‘typical’ Canadian milieu. Her oil paintings and gouaches leave room for study as well as speculation as to their narrative source. Often with a strong composition that supports the drama of the imagery, her technique – impeccable and practiced – supports the strangeness of her subjects by granting an immediate viability to the juxtaposition of elements. The overwhelming perfection and balance take over any doubt at the unusual imagery. Feught also backs her innuendos with information, detailing with a precision to provoke applause.

 Afar Per se - what does it mean? Per se does not only mean “intrinsically” but also, “by, of, for or in itself”. It seems a fitting description of the works of Amar from Afar and Diane Feught with all of the allusions to otherness that they inspire.

 The opening reception for Afar Per se is Friday, November 11, which is Remembrance Day and 11/11/11. Even the date is fittingly evocative yet cryptic.

 Trance and Nilt to cosmic Eastern sounds and melodies during the opening reception with Daniel Stark on sarode, Bill Boyd on cello and Gaz on guitar.