Oxygen Art Centre is hosting a triad of artists from across Canada. The artists are inviting the public to some open studio events to experience how they work.
“Well, because it’s a creation residency, the work will be in process throughout the five weeks that we’re here. So we wanted to just invite the community into that process to see the work in progress.”
The collective, who call themselves Three Way Mirror, are hosting free open studio events this and next Saturday.
The artists are creating both solo and collective pieces in what they call a craft triangle. Working in a variety of mediums from paper to textiles, their concepts connect through a sense of social identity and justice.
“We just saw a lot of synchronicities in our working practices because we’re all filmmakers and interested in working with different crafts.”
Daniel Barrow is a multi-media artist based in Montreal. Barrow is creating “paper doll poems” in the form of collage.
Paige Gratland who is visiting from Vancouver, will be working with colour theory in weaving.
“Part of what has also brought us together is creating space for non-competitive studio production. So ways artists can be together, support each other, share ideas, bounce ideas off each other…”
Glenn Gear is a multidisciplinary artist originally from Newfoundland.
“Through a lot of craft practices, there’s the idea of a circle. I think about beading circles or sewing circles. And I think all of us have a kind of craftiness about our own practice that really comes out of an exploration of materials and forms…I’m from the East Coast and my dad is Inuk from Labrador.”
Gear is exploring wet felting techniques in symbolism and form tied to Inuit heritage.
The artists not only share the same artistic practices, but also common elements of identity. The overarching residency considers how traditional crafts can convey queer stories and community.
“After the pandemic descended, we started thinking about the way community is created through craft. How important that is, especially for queer people where these ideas of craft are usually transmitted through families. And so for queer people who may or may not be estranged from families, it’s like this way of building community that could be really important.”
“Meet and share with other queer, trans and Indigiqueer people…I think one of the things that we offer younger artists and artists of our generation and older, is that we come together in a way of belonging that I think is kind of important for right now. So I’m hoping people will come…”
“It’s very much about chosen family.”
Open studio events are taking place this and next Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission is free and all community members are welcome to attend.
