Drawing from Life

That’s a drawing? Visitors to a new exhibition at the Kelowna Art Gallery may find themselves asking this question when presented with the vastly differing large works created by eight local artists. The exhibition is entitled Drawing from Life, and features newly commissioned works by artists David Alexander, Rose Braun, Jane Everett, Wanda Lock, Amy Modahl, Gary Pearson, Sage Sidley, and Johann Wessels.

Installation "Drawing from Life"

Installation "Drawing from Life"

All of the participating artists have a strong drawing component in their practices and so the opportunity to focus exclusively on drawing is exciting. While drawing is an ancient medium, it is so often treated as a second-class citizen in the art world. The resulting works are rich, massive in scale, and truly fill the Gallery space. Two of the works are 12 feet high and another one is 22 feet long. The focus of the works range nearly as much as the materials the artists have elected to work with. From a massive train engine that appears to be bearing down on the viewer created with oil stick on sheets of metal, to a pack of hunting coyotes moving along a 22-foot sheet of vellum, to drastically enlarged covers of 1970s and 80s Harlequin romance books that have then been drawn upon, and covered with other materials – the impact of the works is palpable.

The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated, 56-page catalogue that includes an essay by curator, Liz Wylie, along with full-page photographic portraits of the artists working on site during the installation of the exhibition.

Drawing from Life is on view until January 22, 2017.

The Kelowna Art Gallery is located at 1315 Water Street in downtown Kelowna. For more information about current exhibitions, public programming or special events, please visit the Kelowna Art Gallery online at www.kelownaartgallery.com or call 250-762-2226.