Father Douglas has a great sense of humour but he still knows how to start painting with sombre inspirational material.
Take his new exhibit for example. The Two Contrary States of the Human Soul features dogs and fruit in a display of a kind of absurdist existentialism. It is simultaneously reminiscent of René Magritte and the kind of Grumpy Cat photography that prevails on the Internet these days.
"The idea was using literature to be inspired to produce," he began. "I kept focusing on [Thomas] Hardy… Tess of the d'Urbervilles. Someone suggested why don't I read William Blake's Songs of Innocence and of Experience. I said, 'Oh! William Blake wrote? I thought he just painted.' He wrote and just illustrated his work."
The title of this new exhibit then takes those two contrary states – innocence and experience – and smashes them together in this painter's typical surreal manner.
"I thought, 'This is interesting. I wonder how I can do this incorporating dogs.' I got a good feeling over it. I'd pick a verse… and try to think what is he saying and how to interpret it."
He added that the two states, while contrary, are still meant to complement each other. The works representing innocence feature images of protection by something outside of one's self while experience shows what being vulnerable looks like.
Douglas, a member of the St. Albert Painters' Guild, has also tried to interpret the poems in a contemporary way with issues such as the environment and homelessness informing them.
The Two Contrary States of the Human Soul runs from Saturday, Nov. 30 until Tuesday, Feb. 4. The opening reception takes place on Nov. 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. The artist will be in attendance.
Galerie PAVA is located at 9524 87 St. in Edmonton. Call 780-461-3234 or visit www.savacava.com for more information.
Grad show
The visual arts students at the University of Alberta are close to the end of their studies. That's the bees' knees, as far as they're concerned. The best way that they can think to celebrate is by having a shindig in the grand old 1920s style.
St. Albert's Eryn Thorsley is on the executive committee with the Visual Arts Student Association, the organizing body that represents fine arts students.
"It's a really big event that happens every year," she said, explaining that the event is to fundraise for the graduates' final show, set to take place in the future.
Even better, 50 per cent of the sales go to the artists themselves.
"It's really important to support the local arts scene. A lot of people don't check it out unless they're directly connected. I think that it's nice to see what people are actually up to and you get to see the younger kids starting out to see their potential too. If anyone's interested in the arts at all, it's a great way to start out and take a peek and see what's going on."
Speakeasy, the Art and Design silent auction takes place Saturday night from 7 to 11 p.m. The event will feature 150 high quality artworks and design pieces for auction, all created by fine arts students in any year of their programs. The collection includes a wide variety of works from paintings, prints, and photography, to furniture, sculptures, and even Christmas ornaments and cards.
Appetizers and drinks will be served. Guests will also enjoy live music played by three of the group's designers.
The Timms Centre for the Arts is located at 112 Street and 87 Avenue on the U of A Campus. There is heated underground parking available. Visit www.artdesign.ualberta.ca for more information.
