Students in Drawing IV display work at Boarding House Gallery
On Wednesday night, the Boarding House Gallery held a reception for Spare Time, an exhibit showcasing work by 14 upper-year drawing students in the U of G’s fine arts program. Students in the Drawing IV class presented the final products of their explorations into different practices, some of which took multiple semesters to finish. The gallery itself was open and inviting, with pieces lining the walls. Each student was allotted a section of the gallery to display his or her own artworks, creating a diverse environment for viewers.
“It’s a great way to show what people have been working on and showcase their different styles,” remarked Emily Reimer, who took part in the show. She also described the opportunity presented by the Drawing IV class (SART*4130): “You get a chance to develop your own body of work and explore your own practice.”
The gallery contained a broad array of differing styles loosely connected as “drawings,” ranging from collages, to portraits, and abstract paintings. The art did not necessarily relate to any common theme, but instead maintained itself as a collective contribution from multiple artists, all of whom had distinctive styles and approaches to their field. “Every material is different, every colour is different, every style is different,” said Reimer.
Breanne Mouflier Proulx’s Louis Riel in G Minor featured a simple yet vibrant depiction of Louis Riel. Agnes McCormack’s collage Sinister Trailer Park Magic encompassed a multitude of colourful shapes, resulting in a dynamic set of colours reflective of a setting sun. Conversely, pieces by artists Laurel McLeod and Emily Reimer focused more on the abstract dimensions of drawing. McLeod’s drawings displayed the dynamics of spontaneity, using melting snow mixed with ink to create bright splashes of colour, encircled by pen lines to create expressive scenes. Reimer’s set of untitled drawings featured a subtle approach to the practice, including pastel colours and shapes reminiscent of flora.