January 2013
The Visitors – Aliens, Ghosts & Saints
People see aliens (or saints, or angels, or ghosts.) This is a fact. They see them. Do they exist in the world that is not filtered through their individual psychologies? It doesn’t matter. Not really. What matters is this: when the chips are down, when all possible solutions are abandoned, when the human mind cries uncle, it can turn to magic. There is something about this that I find reassuring.
In bringing together The Visitors, I invited some of my favourite Ottawa artists to explore this theme: Karina Bergmans, Natalie Bruvels, Jeremiah & Joshua Degrandpre, Peter Shmelzer and Guillermo Trejo. I was looking for work in a variety of media and for artists who were accomplished, but not afraid to be ridiculous. The show will feature paintings in oil and acrylic, fabric sculptures, prints and photos. All of the work has been created specifically for this show. It is crazy, varied and beautiful.
The Vernissage on January 4th will feature readings from local writers on the theme of visitation.
Notes on participants
Karina Bergmans’ uses fabric to create fantastic creatures, sculpture and her own clothing line (KBergmans.com). See www.kaleidoscopeart.com
Natalie Bruvels attacks paintings like a wild beast. Her images of women and babies are shocking and beautiful. See www.nataliebruvels.com
Jeremiah and Joshua Degrandpre are brothers and painters. Jeremiah is one of the most talented painters in Ottawa – he brings magic to every subject he takes on.
Peter Shmelzer paints in oils. His technique is flawless, almost photographic, and he is an expert at riding the edge between humour and horror. www.petershmelzer.com
Guillermo Trejo’s an artist and a scholar. He is a highly-skilled print-maker, whose work is full of power and menace. www.trejoguillermo.com
Missy Marston’s novel, The Love Monster, was recently published by Véhicule Press. It is about divorce, motherhood, and alien visitation. She has been called “an irreverent Canadian” by Commentary Magazine and Margaret Atwood says she “sure has chutzpah”. www.thelovemonsternovel.blogspot.ca