Summer of Bollywood and Salmon

That was a short autumn, eh? Anyone else shivering in the crisp fall wind that makes it feel almost like winter? Thank goodness for temperature control in the Gallery!

Visitors enjoying Picture House

Wall of White Wash

 

One of my favourite ways to get rid of cold weather blahs is to remember summer, and this past summer was quite a scorcher in terms of AGM programming. Meet Us on the Commons was an exciting exploration of how we redefine public space with out experiences. Our South Asian exhibits (Picture House: The Art of Bollywood and Amin Rehman: White Wash) were also very popular. It’s fantastic seeing the art and culture of other countries! We love being part of such a culturally diverse community as Mississauga, and we hope you enjoyed these exhibits as much as we did. If, like us, you want even more exhibits of art from other cultures, stay tuned. Something hot is coming in Summer 2012.

Video still from Meet us on the Commons

 

Super Salmo rescues her fishy friends from water pollution!

We also launched the Salmon Run Project: The Exhibition with the Mississauga Culture Division this summer. What better way to spend a lazy summer day than by sitting by a river and fishing? Well, perhaps enjoying contemporary art is more exciting, but thanks to twenty-four talented artists, the AGM was able to combine  both! At select locations all along the Credit River, we displayed salmon sculptures all summer, and held a silent auction in September. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Credit River in Mississauga, and we love hearing from artists how much fun they had creating these sculptures.

Salt encrusted salmon treasure

Best part? Some of the sculptures are still on display at the Art Gallery of Mississauga! Even if you missed the Salmon Run this summer, you can drop by the AGM next week and see the salmon sculptures all in one room. We know you’ll love these sculptures as much as we do. All sculptures on display are available for purchase, for $300 each. Just inquire at reception. Available salmon are listed on our website.

Jeff Jones, Dunlop

Jeff Jones, Dunlop

1. Tell us about the salmon artwork you have in the Salmon Run Project: The Exhibition.
   The artwork I created for the salmon Run was based on the golf balls that travel down the river, creating a salmon with golf ball scales to illustrate it’s environment and the effect it has on the fish. The base was created using materials gathered from the beaches of Port Credit, where I find the balls that were used in the project. I wanted to show my interpretation of the bottom of the Credit River, golf balls lining the riverbed as they flow from the golf courses to the lake.
2. What made you want to submit a proposal for the Salmon Run Project?
   I liked the idea of creating a 3-D piece of artwork using found objects, I had been collecting golf balls for a couple of years with no clear idea in mind and when I saw the Salmon Run project, it all came together and seemed a perfect fit. I had often thought of the golf balls and their travels down the river.
3. How and when did you become interested in creating art?
   I have been a creative artist longer than I can remember; I have a memory of my Mother talking to my grandmother at the cottage about me becoming an artist one day. I was colouring in a colouring book so I couldn’t; have been too old at the time. I have never wanted to be anything else but an artist.
4. What do you think of the art scene in Mississauga? Where do you see it heading in the next ten years?
   I think that it is an exciting time to be an artist living and working in Mississauga. We are a young city, but we are maturing. This affords us the ability to see the value in the arts, and to be open to many forms of expression, as well as to have the space to put our art. Most of our city is still a blank canvas.The community is eager to express its culture and continues to find new and exciting ways to incorporate the artistic voices of our citizens. I am very excited to see the fruition of some of the current art proposals and projects around out city. I hope that in ten years we demonstrate a continued commitment to the arts, and can see the benefit of new projects that are only in proposal / infant stages now. For instance, the Culture Master Plan’s Public Art program is going to lead to some exciting art spaces.In the next ten years I also hope to see the Arsenal lands at Dixieand Lakeshore converted to art studios and galleries. I see this as a great investment in the community and the arts. We have seen in Toronto many times…where artist thrives, culture follows, and then revitalization pays off with stable neighbourhood. I hope that Mississaugacan follow Toronto’s example and set an exciting chapter for Mississauga’s Lakeview neighbourhood in motion.
5. What advice would you give young people who want to become artists?
   Follow your heart. If you truly love what you do, your dreams will come true. It takes hard work and dedication to your craft.
6. What do you currently have lined up in terms of artistic opportunities? For people interested in finding more of your artwork, do you have a website, blog, Twitter account or gallery?
   I am currently on summer break from any large projects. Most of my art projects are conceived in my head and do not manifest themselves until I have time to dedicate to them. I am in the process of recording some songs and will soon begin painting again. I have a desire to paint a series of bulls. I have always loved bulls and their energy seems to appeal to me, capturing their movements and energy will be the goal of my paintings. Winter always seems a better time for me to hide away and create.
   I generally don’t publish or show my art, my basement is filled with half finished projects and paintings. I am also building some furniture out of found objects, I won’t know where it will take them until they come together.

Robin Hollingdrake, Fish Eye View

Robin Hollingdrake, Fish Eye View

1. Tell us about the salmon artwork you have in the Salmon Run Project: The Exhibition. What made you want to submit a proposal for the Salmon Run Project?
   It was both delightful and challenging to create my Salmon Run art work.  I’m all for more juried projects like this in Mississauga. It was delightful, in stirring wonderful memories of kayaking on the Credit River, with Salmon jumping and splashing all around meIt was also challenging to attempt several variations on my fish, before finding  just the right materials, colours and surface treatments.  When you view the fish, think about what the fish can see on the riverbanks, with ever changing views, and more development. How exciting it is to be swimming in a school of fish, all charging in the same direction, led by strong natural urges of nature.
2. What do you currently have lined up in terms of artistic opportunities? For people interested in finding more of your artwork, do you have a website, blog, Twitter account or gallery?
   This spring and summer I have been working on the little black dress art project, for an event in London in September.I’m also trying to finish some pieces for the AWOL Square Foot Show at the Twist Gallery this summer…….and trying to update my website www.robinhollingdrake.com.