June 14, 2014
Vancouver Island School of Art Newsletter

Reimagining the Surface of Painting

If you are going to New York this summer, be sure to check out the retrospective of Sigmar Polke at the Museum of Modern Art. I've always been attracted to Polke's work because of the way he uses printed fabric instead of traditional canvas as a painting surface. Its not really a revolutionary concept, but its one of those things you come across and wonder why somebody didn't do this before? After all, canvas is just a fabric so why would one only use the neutral surface that is canvas? I first came across Polke's work while studying art at university at a time when I was forever being told my work was too decorative. Polke was a delightful discovery for me as he embraced and integrated 'the decorative' and his work gave me the courage to go on with my own direction despite the various warnings against it. 

Art writer Peter Schjeldahl describes this exhibition in a recent article in the New Yorker as being "the most dramatic museum show of the century". To get a sense of this retrospective, Alibis, you can take a tour with James Kalm Part 1 (which includes music by buskers playing outside the gallery) and James Kalm Part 2. If you have the patience to watch Kalm's videos you will become aware of the breath and depth of Polke's creativity and range of genres and subject choices. (For those of you who know Victoria's wonderful Efren Quinoz of Exhibit-V, James Kalm is New York's equivalent to Efren). Here is an upbeat short tour by Blake Gopnik and Christian Viveros-Faune that is also worth viewing.

Other interesting use of painting surfaces by Polke include working on rippled glass, using silkscreen to create drawing lines and patterns; and using a type of resin that makes his fabric transparent to reveal the stretcher bars underneath (see image below). The review in the New York Times by Holland Cotter gives a sense of some of Polke's methods. If you are interested in discovering innovative approaches to painting, drawing, silkscreen, and photography, Polke is definitely an artist worth investigating further. 

Jerry Saltz in his review of the exhibition, criticizes the curatorial direction of the exhibition and laments the lack of focus on Polke's painting. Art News Magazine which tends to focus on the gossip and money side of art, has chosen to address works by Polke made with potatoes (this angle would be typical Art News material). Nonetheless this article and the ones that precede it, will all assist you in piecing together the multi-faceted artist that is Sigmar Polke. And again, if you are in New York this summer, check out this retrospective at the new Modern Museum of Art. It will not disappoint. 




PENCIL DRAWING WORKSHOP

Sunday, June 22  1-4pm

 

This afternoon drawing workshop will focus on the most basic drawing tool of all: the pencil. Exercises include simple line and tonal drawings of plants, as well abstract drawings using a range of pencils from light to dark (HB-8B). You will also learn to use the eraser as an effective drawing tool.

 

This workshop is ideal for people who want to do something artistic but don't know where to begin. Why not start with the simplest of all drawing tools, the pencil? The afternoon is guaranteed to be a fun and engaging time for all.

 

Instructor: Wendy Welch

Cost: $65 (includes all supplies)

 

To register on-line
FALL AND WINTER SCHEDULES ARE ON-LINE
 

For those of you who like to plan ahead our Fall 2014 and Winter 2015 schedules are now on-line and courses are open for registration.

 

When you are at the schedule pages, click on any course title for a description of course.

 

If you would like more information about any course, or if you would like help deciding what course to take, contact the OFFICE

 

In the meantime, why wait until fall to do some art? Check out our comprehensive summer workshop offerings and remember if you register 10 days prior to start date of workshop, you will receive 10% off (to take advantage of this offer you must mention it when you phone, email or visit the front desk. It is not available when you register on-line.

DELUGE CONTEMPORARY ART
IO PALMER: Access/Excess
Opening Reception, Saturday June 21 at 2pm 
 

Through depictions of cleaning products, laborers' garments, and various other industrial and domestic forms, Palmer explores complex issues of class, race and identity, in particular the impact of society on the individual. Trained originally as a ceramicist, she uses a variety of processes and materials including fabric, steel and sound.  

 

For more info:
Deluge Contemporary Art  

 

636 Yates


 
To reserve your space now contact the office.
Ad space in VISA's Course & Workshop Flyer

Do you know of a business that would like to have an ad space in our course and workshop flyer? 
If so please pass on the following information.
Ad revenue helps pay for the cost and distribution of the flyer.
3 times a year (Fall, Winter, Spring) 15,000 issues printed per session (45,000 issues per year)
$300/year for a 3" x 3" ad. 
Please contact me if you are interested


For more information contact Linda or Laura in the office