Past Art Exhibitions - August 05
Joanne B. Kaar and Ding-Wey Lin |
Sheila Robertson | Sarita Lanender
JOANNE B. KAAR and DING-WEY LIN
BUILDING ON INSPIRATION: THE TAIWANESE EXPERIENCE
'Building on Inspiration' is a very full cultural experience. It draws on Chinese traditional art through the uses of paper and crafts, in a collaboration of two very talented people:Joanne B kaar a Caithness artist and Ding-Wey lin a calligrapher and paper maker from Taiwan. We have been lucky not just to see a beautiful display of extraordinary work throughout the month - some of it for sale - but also share in a workshop which allowed a glimpse of the complicated skill behind a powerful artform.
Joanne spent five months as artist-in-residence at Chaoyang University in Taiwan last year. There she met Ding-Wey lin who guided her during her residency. The two of them evidently shared much enthusiasm for each others home culture and their partnership was the catalyst for Timespan's exhibition and the workshops which have been organised throughout the Highlands this summer. It is Ding-Wey's first visit outside Taiwan and Joanne saw his trip as an opportunity to bring the rituals and crafts of Taiwan to the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
Joanne Kaar is based at Dunnet Head on the North Coast of Caithness. This ever changing coastal landscape provides a constant source of inspiration for her paper making, bookbinding and collages and she is much in demand for workshops and commisions throughout Scotland. She has also been published by the Guild of Master Craftsmen.
Her exhibition shows the breadth of her talent and - excitingly - the very real impact that her time in Taiwan had on her work. We see first, in the foyer section, some absolutely stunning collages which beautifully highlight Joanne's sensitive talent and eye for the North Coast. Her observations of the impact the sea and landscape have on each other visually are thought provoking and crafted in deep natural shades and moods.
In the main gallery the exhibition leads you into the Taiwan Dream. Joanne's dream seems to have unpicked and simplified her gift for detail. Here her work is inspired by Taiwanese folk art and is pointed out in immaculate detail and carefully crafted on embossed paper. Her imagery of animals is utterly charming.
The very distinctive Chinese art with which we are all familiar, does not speak of the 40 years of its destruction during the Cultural Revolution. The modern art of Taiwan is the art of survival and continuity: a tribute to their effort to keep Chinese culture alive.The modern art of mainland China is quite different. It is still finding its way after the catastrophic loss of two generations who suffered the double tragedy of being denied both artistic freedom and access to their heritage. Interesting things are happening on the mainland but they are the result of torture and destruction.
The small island of Taiwan sought to protect and maintain the Chinese cultural legacy for that whole enormous nation. It was not in Taiwan's gift to compensate for that which has been lost in China, what is gone is gone, but a world without Taiwan's enduring prescence is unimaginable. We can at least say - what is saved, is saved. The new generation of artists there are proud and exciting. Ding- Wey is one of these artists. His paper cut-outs are miracles. How a folded piece of paper can be shaped into a huge circular intricate design by a pair of mathematically motivated scissors is baffling. This skill and imagination, combined with Joanne's wonderful talent created an exciting workshop at Timespan which focussed on eastern papermaking skills and origami - all good stuff to keep the Gods happy!
Joanne Kaar's residency in Taiwan was partly funded by the Scottish Arts Council. The workshops were partly funded by Hi-Arts.
SHEILA ROBERTSON
"A day in the life of....."
Sheila Robertson is a graduate of Glasgow School of Art where she studied drawing and painting. Since leaving art school Sheila has taght art, continued painting and has had 5 children.She lives at Oldshoremore, near Kinlolochbervie, where she gets the inspiration for many of her paintings.The works, whether large or small have planes of colour and patterns which describe a wonderfully vibrant landscape full of symbols and details to explore.
SARITA LAVENDER
Sarita developed her interest in kiln-worked glass whilst at university in the early 1990's. It was after spending a year in Sydney, where she was inspired by the Australian studio glass movement that she decided to make glass her career. Attracted to the far north by Northlands Creative Glass, Sarita now works from her studio in Lybster, where she has settled with her husband and three daughters. It is here that she produces her wonderful pieces of kiln-worked glass, predominantly making fused and slumped pieces. Most of Sarita's work uses clear glass with metal leaf and foil inclusions that produce iridescent effects in an amazing range of colours.
"Glass is one of the most fascinating and beautful materials to work with" she said."The great versatility of glass makes each piece an exciting journey. Every time I take a piece from the kiln I'm in awe of the materials I work with. I hope that my work helps to show just how wonderful glass can be.