Artists respond creatively to theme of ‘reflections’ for art show

Moose Jaw artist Jean Crozier normally creates paintings of landscapes and animals, but she thought she would create something more abstract to showcase at this year’s community art show.

Crozier is one of 16 artists to display her works at the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery (MJMAG) as part of the Moose Jaw Art Guild’s 52nd annual art show and exhibition. The launch of the exhibition — which runs from Nov. 14 to Jan. 5, 2020 — was held at the art gallery on Nov. 14.

Artists could respond creatively to this year’s theme of reflections by using different media and approaches to create their works.

“I just had an idea (for a picture) of sort of like a cobweb, but to have these (images of) shards of glass and make it look more like stained-glass,” Crozier explained.

She also wanted another image in the middle but was unsure what to put. Her grandson suggested a sun, so she made one out of matte medium with tissue paper painted gold. The rest of the artwork was made of watercolour and acrylic on Bristol board.

It took four days for Crozier to create the art piece, spending two hours each day putting it together. She had so much fun working on it, she said, that she simply kept going until it was finished.

This was her fifth time submitting artwork for the art show.

“I just find it so satisfying to put down something you’re thinking of and then to paint it and create something different with it,” Crozier said. “It is something really different. I’m pleased with it. It’s colourful and those actually are my favourite colours (blue, purple and green).”

Karen Walpole, president of the art guild, had not seen all the artwork before the exhibition opened, but noted she was always excited to see what the group’s artists put together since they are talented individuals; some of them have been with the group for 30 years.

“I believe there’s an artist in every one of us, to some extent,” she said. “Some people say it’s hard to know what art is, but art is in fashion; art is in the way cars are designed. It’s in everything we do. It’s part of our culture.”

One artwork on display was a basket made using reed weaving with wire, beads and seagrass and entitled Metaphor for Life. Creator Beth Crabb explained that she purposely put into the basket “wounds” to reflect the wounds people have in their lives. Those wounds are then patched together using wire and beads to indicate who or what helped people heal.

Other beads on the basket indicate something “wondrous” has happened in life, such as a graduation.

“I could have done a painting showing a pretty reflection — nothing wrong with that — but I thought since I weave as well as paint, I thought I would try and interpret (the theme) in a slightly different manner, like a reflection on life,” said Crabb.

Crabb has been weaving for more than 27 years and has been a member of the art guild for over 20 years. It took her several days to make this particular basket. Since she also teaches weaving, she pointed out what she created for the show is beyond the beginner level.

The Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery is open Tuesdays to Sundays 12 to 5 p.m.