The Canadian Sculpture Center kicked off the New Year with launching of their Kudos III exhibition on January 14. The show was organized primarily as an expression of gratitude to the patrons, volunteers and artists of the Sculptors Society of Canada; hence the title ‘kudos’ which according to the Oxford Dictionary is the Greek term for ‘praise.’
Installation view with Camie Geary-Martin, Man Waving & Man with Hand Raised, bronze. Courtesy of Canadian Sculpture Centre
Kudos III is a mesmerizing collection focusing on artists’ personal histories. The attendees of the opening got to hear about the sources of inspirations and be able to converse with the artists about their thought while processing those pieces. Whether it be Judi Michelle Young’s conceptual work (A Bowl of Cherries?) about her family’s difficult history in Canada’s railway industry, or J. Mac’s abstract piece (Segment) inspired by the unfinished and destroyed art works she saw in her travels through Greece and Italy – there is a large piece of “self” in each one of the works which allows you to learn more about the person who created them.
Judi Michelle Young, A Bowl of Cherries?, stainless steel, glass, anodized aluminum, steel, & cotton. Photo: Elizaveta Mironova
J. Mac’s abstract, Segment, nails, rope, resin form & Karen Stoskopf Harding, The Cyclopean Eye, bronze. Photo: Elizaveta Mironova
Peter Shoebridge’s figurative sculptures follow the classical traditions. He works after live models and successfully captures their nature and spirit. Richard McNeill’s two portraits, a female and male, also address the dual power of the outside / inside of people. A piece of both faces are cut off showing that when they start thinking and turn their attention to their inner thoughts and feelings, their faces close up.
Cesar Forero’s Budding Water 1 and 2. seems to be the only pieces in the show that not directly personal. It is not a reflection of a moment from his life, but a political statement about the harm that human cause to the planet. We blame jellyfish for contaminating the waters, but that only happens because of the rising water temperatures due to global warming. The only natural enemies of jellyfish are turtles and salmon but humans eat an overwhelming amount of those. Forero’s intention in his beautiful pieces is to point out how important it is to think about the harm we do to nature.
Cesar Forero Budding Water I and II”, ceramic. Courtesy of Canadian Sculpture Centre
The Artist Talks were very imformative and interesting and the athmosphere of the opening reception was really festive, as people welcomed 2017.
Peter Shoebridge talking about his work, Walk, ceramic. Courtesy of Canadian Sculpture Centre
Elizaveta Mironova
*Exhibition information: January 12 – February 3, 2017, Canadian Sculpture Centre, 500 Church Street. Gallery hours: Tue – Fri: 12 – 6, Sat: 11 – 4 pm.