January 22, 2014
Vancouver Island School of Art Newsletter

Art and Politics?

Should art and politics mix? CBC broadcaster Rex Murphy and some Alberta politicians, in response to Neil Young speaking out against the tar sands, say that artists should stay away from politics. Neil Young not only talks about politics, but issues have always been a large part of his music practice.

Artists have been talking about politics and making it an important part of their work throughout history. One only has to think of Goya's Disasters of War, Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People or Picasso's Guernica, as immediate examples, not to mention the countless musicians throughout the 20th century who have made politics an essential part of their songwriting.

Judging by the comments in a recent Guardian article about Andre Serranos' latest work, Signs of the Times in the Guardian, there are a lot of people who think art and politics shouldn't mix. Serranos bought signs from homeless people for $20 a sign and then made a video based on this collection of handmade signs. All Serrano is doing, like many artists before him (and like Neil Young), is making people aware of a public issue through his art practice. The homeless people were happy to get the $20 and by recontextualizing the signs, Serranos has created a poetic portrait of life in the street that we might not see, or choose not to see. No he is not solving the homeless problem, nor is Neil solving the environmental disaster that is the tar sands. They are acting as artist as witness. To hear Serrano being interviewed about his Signs of Times project: CBC's Q by Terry O'Reilly.

Its hard to understand why people get so angry about artists mixing with politics. The only reason I can come up with is that people do not want to be made aware of the issues. People think of art as a way of escaping from reality, not as a means to highlight the darker parts of the world. The beauty of art is that it can do both.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
starts Wed Jan 22, 6pm-9pm

There is still some space in this course which starts this evening (Wednesday).

The course focuses on the basics of preparing professional materials such as an artist statement, images of work, and making a website with a Wordpress blog template. The course also covers the different types of exhibition venues including non-profit, commercial and public galleries; community centers and caf�s and how to find the right venue for your work. Other activities such as writing grants, preparing a budget, keeping records, and many other details involved in being a successful artist will be discussed. 

In addition, the course will cover some of the ways to keep yourself motivated and continually producing artwork. Artwork is, after all, the fundamental basis to any kind of success in the artworld.

Textbook: The Artist's Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love by Jackie Battenfield; Philadelphia: Da Capo Press, 2009.

Prerequisite:Enrolment in Diploma program or are a practicing artist with a body of work.

Instructor: Wendy Welch

DRAWING WORKSHOP: NATURE AS PATTERN
Sunday, January 26, 10am-5pm

Are you inspired by the beautiful patterns in nature and wonder how you can incorporate them into your work? Workshop exercises involve observing and analyzing natural forms into basic components to create both repeated and random patterns. 

The works of Ernst Haeckel, William Morris, Art Nouveau and Art Deco designs, as well as contemporary pattern designs, are explored through a variety of innovative projects. Participants will work from actual natural objects as well as photographs using pencils and watercolours.

Suitable for complete beginners.

Instructor: Wendy Welch
Tuition: $125 
(all materials included)

TWO DRAWING COURSES START NEXT WEEK  
There are still some spaces in the following courses:

DRAWING: MIXED MEDIA
Friday, Jan 31, 10am-1pm
Students learn how to create interesting effects by exploring a combination of different materials including charcoal, cont�, pastels, acrylic paints, paint mediums, ink, ink wash and crayon resist on a range of surfaces from papers to found objects.
Instructor: Tracey Nelson
Fee: $395 for 36 hours
To register on-line

DRAWING FOR THE ABSOLUTE BEGINNER
Saturday, Feb 1, 10am-1pm
Do you want to learn to draw but don't know how to get started? This is a course designed for people with no drawing experience, and in particular for people who are convinced that 'they cannot draw'. You will learn how to use basic materials such as pencils, charcoal and ink to render a range of subjects including everyday objects, landscapes and people.
Instructor: Tracey Nelson
Fee: $395 for 36 hours
To register on-line 
DRAWING BENEATH THE SURFACE
Opens Friday, January 24 @ 7:30 
 
This exhibition in the Slide Room Gallery highlights the way drawing moves from drawing marks to painterly strokes and sculptural forms.
 
Sarah Cowan, Jill Ehlert, 
June Higgins work in the realm between the abstract and the representational and use line as a  form of expressive gesture and a vehicle for meaning.
 
Curated by Wendy Welch
 
Exhibition continues to March 3. 
 
Slide Room Gallery is located in the lower level of VISA.


Image: June Higgins
Parabolic Segment 
76cm x 101cm acrylic on canvas 2013 
 
 
CHANGES IN THE VISA OFFICE

Our lovely Jennifer Smyly who many of you know from meeting her over the phone or across the front counter is leaving us as of January 31. We wish Jennifer all the best and she will be very much missed by the VISA family.

Although Jennifer can't be replaced, we will have a new person working in our office alongside Linda as of February 3. As we say good-by to Jennifer, we are delighted to welcome Laura Skagfeld to the Vancouver Island School of Art.

For more information about our courses or events contact
Linda or Jen at the office: 250-380-3500 or info@vancouverislandschoolart.com
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