Beaux Arts sculptural metal exhibition now open at Il Centro Art Gallery, Vancouver.

The Beaux Arts exhibition, curated by Angela Clarke at Il Centro Art Gallery, Vancouver, was developed with the Vancouver Metal Arts Association. The work of nineteen artists is included, and I am very honoured to be one of them. Huge thanks and kudos to the volunteer members of VMAA who have managed to organize and install a professional show under the current incredibly difficult conditions.

To quote from Il Centro’s web-site:

As the first exhibition in our Charles Marega 150 celebrations series Il Museo at Il Centro presents Beaux Arts: An Exhibition with the Vancouver Metal Arts Association. This exhibition features the sculptural metal art form both large and small. Entitled Beaux Arts in honour of the artist style of which Charles Marega was an interpreter, this juried show integrates traditional metal work with non-traditional styles and elements, true to the Beaux Arts form. Throughout the exhibition space there is a continuous juxtaposition of traditional and non- traditional aesthetics and materials. In addition to beautifully wrought metals in full scale sculptural size there are also opulent pieces of wearable art, jewelry that is ornamental but conveys significant social commentary. Then there are those ephemeral pieces which are created from found objects. Washed up on the shore, smoothed out, weathered and rough-hewn for a lifetime at sea, these mystifying pieces of unknown origin are brought to life again as a result of the artist’s hand and eye which sees their true beauty and conceives in them a new- and surprising-functionality.

Detail shot of The Standard Iris, a 23” tall wall-mounted aluminium iris petal.

My piece, All About Iris, has three large wall-mounted sculptural metal petals. The petals are made by hammer-forming, forging, repoussé, and chasing.

There will be lots more pictures, video, and content to share over the coming weeks--the show is a partner exhibition in the Crafted Vancouver Festival May 1-25, 2021.

Beaux Arts exhibition runs April 8 - June 30, 2021.

Map to find Il Centro Art Gallery
3075 Slocan St
Vancouver BC

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