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Squared Show 2023
OK everyone, it’s almost time for one of the most enjoyable evenings of the year. That’s right woo hoo The 2023 Squared Show at the Gabriola Arts and Heritage Centre.
https://facebook.com/events/s/the-squared-show-2023/1462628824248308/
Opening this Friday January 6th at 7:00 pm and runs until Sunday, January 8th. Online sales start at 8:00 pm Friday.
My pieces Endure and Contorta Bay are inspired by two views within 100 meters of Contorta Bay. We are so blessed to live here.
Please do check out the show. I bet you’ll be happy you did. I know I always am.
Thanks to Karen for taking the pictures of Le and I.
Truth in Chaos
I returned from India with the world falling to chaos right behind me. My plans of exhibitions and presentations of my time with the Global Art Festival were soon overshadowed by the pandemic and all that ensued.
For me chaos is fascinating. On one hand it’s unlimited building blocks. It’s also a place where what we observe with out judgment reveals its true nature more easily.
My personal quest as an artist is typically not to organize or project onto, but to navigate chaos. To hopefully find those simple yet often profound truths and bring some of them into my work.
Truth and Chaos
A solo exhibition by Stephen Cole
Cultivate Sculpture Garden
Next stop 4.2 light years – originally designed for the Global Art Festival in India. Unfortunately it was unable to be created at the festival due to a mixup with materials.
So when asked if I would like to have a piece at the Cultivate Festival this summer on Gabriola, a modified version came to be. The main difference being originally the tree or support structure was to be made from hand casts of up to fifty artists plus the awesome supporting personal of the Festival.
“Next stop 4.2 Lightyears “ can be looked at various ways, among them
1- planets don’t grow on trees, don’t take this one for granted.
2- we don’t own the earth, we live here for a moment as a part of her
3- earth is our only known life support and all we have to do is live respectfully and not support others greed and seeking power
4 – Proxima Centauri B is the closest planet suspected of being possibly earth like. It is 4.24 light years or 401134497203743 km. from earth.
5 – Finding your voice as you think about the earth and personal responsibility, human rights and our place in the universe
Studio Tour 2021
Alright the dust has settled, studio has a new and welcome mess as commissions get under way.
The gallery is all sanitized and ready to accept some new work.
I need to recognize and enormously thank Alisha! I get to talk with, listen to, explain or just play with our guests, stress free. Why, because she has me covered. Everyone is greeted, directed to what they need questions answered. The list goes on. Alisha has a nack for being in the right spot, at the right time, with what is needed. I really don’t know how to show my level of appreciation to her.
Then there is the everything else person. (Steve I need words for…) (steve I need weights for …dimensions for…)submissions to shows -materials , tools ,research and orders. Displays, photography anything IT. I’ll stop here the list is too long, Noella is my partner and the reason my work finds it’s way to you and around the world. This is another place thank you doesn’t cover my appreciation.
So what would a studio tour be without art lovers? I want to thank all of you that cruised Gabriola in support of art. I know it was no small adventure this year as we try to safely navigate around each other in the midst of a pandemic.
To those of you who found your way to our door, again I am overwhelmed with your openness, honesty and support. You lift me up and encourage me to go beyond. You my friends are a blessing. Remember you are welcome to come by year round, with a quick call . Whether it’s to talk, see what’s new or just sit quietly in the gallery surrounded by art. Thank you all so very much. Steve
Best in Stone at FAS 2021
Navigating Chaos has been awarded Best in Stone at the FAS 2021. https://www.ladysmitharts.ca/ladysmith-fine-art-showCheers and thank you to the Ladysmith Fine Art Show 2021 Team. You have taken a highly regarded biannual show through the chaos of 2020 to spread its wings once again. That is some fine navigation. Thank you very much for this award. #stone#sculpture#artshow
Bella Exhibition at Federation Gallery
My sculpture Eclipse was accepted as part of the Bella show and is currently at the Federation Gallery in Vancouver. It opened on the 17th and is on till the 29th and its about the celebration of beauty and the beauty of all things. We can certainly use some beauty right now. If you can’t get to the gallery, there is an online version of the show.
Shape and Form Exhibit
The Federation of Canadian Artists (FCA) has juried sculptures as well as paintings in this month’s Shape and Form show. My sculpture Phoenix, is part of the online gallery and it runs Oct 19-Nov 1. They have a physical exhibition at their Vancouver Gallery. Explore the Exhibition with the link below. https://federationgallery.com/show/shape_form
Island Arts Magazine
Hi there. Check out Island Art’s Summer issue. This one is online only. Thank you Susan for the article on Page 18 -19 about my recent Art residency and experiences in India. https://issuu.com/islandartsmag/docs/jun_2020_iam
Water for Life
I had designed and worked out several pieces for my time in India. I knew I wanted it to be celebratory and I wanted it to recognize our connectedness. Due to complications getting materials and properly working tools, I needed to let go of my original plans. What connects us with all other life on the planet – water! Why ? We are mostly water and simply would not be without it. So what is a reason to celebrate? Every single rain drop.
When a rain drop lands on the surface of calm water, it creates a crown splash as the crown starts to fall it sends a spike up in the center of the crown. It looks like a celebration all by its self.
Starting with a 1200 lb block of Dolomite (looks like marble but is a bit harder ) and a borrowed grinder I started my splash. It pushed up a wave which flowed over the edges and around abstract shelters and images inspired by my experiences in India.
I was blessed with making friends with some of the most fun loving creatives in my life. This wee video is the result of my playing with one of those friends Lizbeth Villarreal. I held the camera while Lizbeth executes her awesome idea. I wish someone was videoing us both there would have been some great bloopers. Thank you Lizbeth!
Water for Life. I had designed and worked out several pieces for my time in India. I knew I wanted it to be celebratory and I wanted it to recognize our connectedness. Due to some complications with acquiring materials and tools, I needed to let go of my original plans. What connects us with all other life on the planet – water! Why? We are mostly water and simply would not be without it. So what is a reason to celebrate? Every single rain drop.
When a rain drop lands on the surface of calm water, it creates a crown splash as the crown starts to fall it sends a spike up in the center of the crown. It looks like a celebration all by its self.
Starting with a 1200 lb block of Dolomite (looks like marble but is a bit harder) and a borrowed grinder, I started my splash. It pushed up a wave which flowed over the edges and around abstract shelters and images inspired by my experiences in India.
I was blessed with making friends with some of the most fun loving creatives in my life.
