Broad spectrum of artists featured at annual show
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Updated: June 25, 2009 11:51 AM
ARTS 2009, the 25th incarnation of The Arts Council of Surrey's annual show, runs at Surrey Art Gallery (13750 88 Ave.) from June 26 to Aug. 30.
It's a juried exhibition that celebrates the diverse artistic talents of both established and emerging visual artists, helping their professional development while generating increased awareness of their work.
This year, 54 artists from Surrey and neighbouring municipalities are featured in works that range from traditional paintings to contemporary pieces that use innovative thinking and different media, encompassing a broad spectrum of styles and themes.
Opening reception Thursday evening included the presentation of awards to first-place winners from the jurying process, as well as youth arts scholarships.
Among award winners is Crescent Beach mixed-media artist and dance instructor Elizabeth Carefoot, whose knitted piece Alien Vine took first place in the 3-D works and fibre arts category.
"I wanted to explore a new medium, so I taught myself how to knit," explained Carefoot, known for her colourful quilting approach with many-hued fabrics.
"I found knitting agreeably meditative in feeling the wool passing through my fingers, and the repetitive working of the needles allowed for reflection and wide-ranging contemplation.
"When completed, I realized the vine represented my artistic life: with its sturdy roots grounded in self-confidence and experience, it allows its vigorous tendrils to expand, reach, spread and grow in all directions in exhilarating exploration."
Other first-place winners include Russell Leng (painting on canvas category) for Sections, a piece exploring patterns as a statement on urban development; Seo Ryung Heo (painting on paper) for A Hall, a study of a "overly-decorated" mall space; and Polly Faminow (drawing, 2-D mixed media and printmaking) for My Mother's Hands, a drawn tryptich focusing on hands as a symbol of age.
Helma Sawatzky's Data Transfers: The Dream (first place, photography and new media category) is a form of digital collage creating a new reality from old image data stored on her computer.
Visitors to the show are invited to vote for a People's Choice award that will be announced at the close of the exhibition.
For more information, call 604-501-5566 or visit www.arts.surrey.ca
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