Upcoming Exhibition at Gallery 1313, Feb 22-Mar 4, 2012
Microcosm:
Also called microcosmos, takes its origin from the Middle English word of microcosme or Medieval Latin mīcrocosmus, from Greek mīkròs kósmos, meaning ‘little world’. Especially:
- the human race or human nature seen as an epitome of the world or the universe
- a community or other unity that is an epitome of a larger unity”Microcosm” Merriam-Webster.com., Merriam-Webster, 2012
Thurs., Feb 2 2012
In this exhibition, Michelle uses the visual queues of story-telling to explore the idea of Nature as an active participant of a micro-universe. With overlapping gestural lines, the artist intuitively creates a world immersed in fantasy. In this series of drawings and paintings, images of strange creature inhabitants try to balance a delicate relationship with their “mother” – Nature. The work depicts a series of events, where the creatures find themselves in a world where the forces of “mother” are ever so present; they are physically “caught” in the process. Much like ourselves, the creatures are both loved and scorned by their well-being “mother” as they get jostled about like goldfish in a tiny bowl of water. Through this body of work the artist attempts to further her understanding of Nature, the life energy and its ever lasting process of rejuvenation.
The Song Never Ends
The Song Never Ends (January 2008 – March 2010) is a compilation of atmospheric spaces, which I like to revisit every now and then. This is where I like to play with washes of colour. Nature is my muse and through my work, I communicate my love for her. The arrangement of organic structures, heightened colours and artificial skies meld together, rejuvenating life for a new existence. Once transformed, these spaces become timeless monuments, and any historical reference they might have had is just a passing memory. The softness and subtleties of colours in contrast to the harshness of dark lines of various thicknesses are techniques inspired from my drawing practice.
Terra Forma
The Terra Forma series (April – June 2009), represents visual meditations brought out through the music of Vangelis’ Heaven and Hell; and Delerium’s Forgotten Worlds, and Angelicus. The integration of vocals, electronica and traditional instruments in these songs depicts on canvas a world in perpetual movement – where there is no separation between Earth and sky.
Trace Elements
Trace Elements (October 2006 – November 2006) are a series of sketches in made in various media such as conté, pastel, India ink, charcoal and chalk. This is where I begin to visualize my thoughts before I work on a painting. Sometimes I will reuse certain elements in these sketches in my final works. These images are the result of several layers, which stems from the theories of alternative science – that all living things operate on various frequencies above or below our level of consciousness but are slightly out of our range of senses. These landscapes were portrayed as spaces that exist above, middle and below our frequency level.
The REALM of Belief
The REALM of Belief: Time, Beginning, Ending and Light (December 2006 – March 2007) are the manifestations of worlds colliding during a time of transition into the next phase of existence. While What once was, The REALM and The Temple Mount (March 2007) are continuations of The REALM of Belief depicting the ending, transition and the beginning of life.
Details of a New World
Details of a New World (October 2006) are sections of a scroll drawing that spans a total of 378 inches (31.5ft) in length. Inspired by alternative science research on genetic manipulation and memory, the scroll is a visual depiction of a reality that is beyond what we create, worlds of higher and lower frequencies some of which are seen while others go unnoticed.
Horizon Disturbances
Horizon Disturbances (September- October 2006) is where I started to formulate my thoughts on the subject of coexistence between nature and industry as part of a manipulated environment. These images were based from sketches and photos taken throughout the city of Windsor, ON- the place of my youth. The ‘organic shadows’ that have spawned as a result of technology have now become a seamless part of life. In these works, Windsor ceases to exist as these ‘shadows’ symbolize a gradual take over and begins to transform the environment into a world not readily seen by its inhabitants. These things ‘hidden in plain sight’, references how we could be so engrossed with our immediate lives that often it is not recognized that the world we inhabit is in a state of perpetual movement and transition which resonates beyond our level of perception.
From the Soul Exhibition at Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
July 23 to August 13, 2010, Toronto CAN
I am pleased to announce that my works will be part of From the Soul art exhibition at Royal Ontario Museum along side fellow artists such as Izzy Ohiro, Nicole Pena, Darrell McCalla and among others. From the Soul: Caribana Art Exhibit is a COLOURblind! art exhibit produced by the Association of African-Canadian Artists.
For more information click here
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen’s Park
Toronto, CAN
M5S 2C6
Telephone: 416.586.8000
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 9:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Mythological Landscapes Art Exhibition at Impressions Art Gallery
June 23-July 7, 2009 , Toronto CAN
I am pleased to announce that a small collections of my works will be on exhibit at Impressions Art Gallery starting June 23rd and will remain throughout the Yorkville Art Walk until July 7th.
Mythological Landscapes is an ongoing series where atmospheric spaces, heightened colours and artificial skies have melded together rejuvenating nature in the formation of a new existence.
Impressions Art Gallery
102 Yorkville Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M5R 1B9
416-922-3944
Roots to Rhythm Exhibit at Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
July 25 – August 4, 2008, Toronto CAN
I am pleased to announce that my works will be part of the Roots to Rhythm at exhibit at the ROM along side fellow artists Izzy Ohiro, Nicole Pena, Darrell McCalla and among others. Roots to Rhythm: Caribana Art Exhibit is a COLOURblind! traveling art exhibit produced by the Association of African-Canadian Artists.
For more information click here
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen’s Park
Toronto, CAN
M5S 2C6
Telephone: 416.586.800
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Thursday: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Friday: 10:00 am – 9:30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm