Current Art Exhibition
ARTIST STATEMENT:
The works in this series reflect my ongoing attempt to rediscover that special place where memory, enveloped in a comforting nostalgia, is perfect and timeless.
But as I explored the past through these pieces, I was reminded again that memory can occupy two planes simultaneously, one of fact and one of romantic recollection. The tension of this duality is echoed in the painting style as well. These painted memories are landscapes, some with situated objects, others, spare and open. All have areas of clarity and ambiguity, and these oppositions are expressed in the way the materials are applied: The surfaces are smooth and textured, and vibrant and muted colours have been added and then stripped away, leaving only traces of what they once were.
The constantly shifting horizon line in all of these pieces works not only as a focal point but as a stylistic element, a line of clarification that reinforces my sense that the elusive “place and time” for which I search are both ephemeral and eternal.
Connie Morris
November 2011
The works in this series reflect my ongoing attempt to rediscover that special place where memory, enveloped in a comforting nostalgia, is perfect and timeless.
But as I explored the past through these pieces, I was reminded again that memory can occupy two planes simultaneously, one of fact and one of romantic recollection. The tension of this duality is echoed in the painting style as well. These painted memories are landscapes, some with situated objects, others, spare and open. All have areas of clarity and ambiguity, and these oppositions are expressed in the way the materials are applied: The surfaces are smooth and textured, and vibrant and muted colours have been added and then stripped away, leaving only traces of what they once were.
The constantly shifting horizon line in all of these pieces works not only as a focal point but as a stylistic element, a line of clarification that reinforces my sense that the elusive “place and time” for which I search are both ephemeral and eternal.
Connie Morris
November 2011
Artworks available at WSAG:
Connie Morris
Previous Artist Statement
APRIL 2011
The works represented at the Wellington Street Gallery are from two different thematic explorations, The Flaw (Red Reveal) and Instinct (The Find and Self Reflection).
With the theme of the flaw I was reacting to our society's judgment about what constitutes beauty as well as our desire to conceal what isn't deemed to be“beautiful” and our tendency to create harmonious “flawless” surfaces or facades. My pieces focus on the process of what underlies the finished surface. The surfaces are not one solid harmonious colour nor do they have a smooth machine like texture. The process of scraping away paint and leaving the under layers exposed is a way of allowing the viewer to see – and better understand – what lies beneath. For me, these “imperfections” and the glimpse they provide into the history of the work constitute the beauty of the piece. My works are finished with a transparent plastic coating, which is an effort to reveal, enhance and protect these beautiful imperfections – or what some might view as flaws.
The other pieces are exploring my struggle with the loss of instinct in my creative process. They are self portraits and an attempt to access the part of me that did once respond to subject and materials so liberally, without self consciousness. Found objects are the focal points, one being a painted representation and the other actually progressing to incorporate the actual object into the work. Leaving accidents and accentuating the imperfections is expanded upon in my work. In some of my works I have used a paint colour called Liquid Mirror, which is a literal attempt to self reflect on my creative instincts.
BIOGRAPHY - Connie Morris
Connie has both a strong theoretical and practical background in visual art. She has been a practicing artist and instructor for over 15 years.
She has a Bachelor of Fine Art and a Bachelor of Education (Artist In The Community Program) from Queen's University. She also studied New Media Design at Sheridan College. Her visual art teaching experience includes Secondary, Post Secondary, school enrichment programs, specialty private classes for young children through to adult aged students.
Connie is an ardent supporter of Tri-Art products which she has been using since their inception in 1994.
Acrylic Education Philosohpy: "I discovered acrylics post oils. I soon realized that acrylics weren't merely a substitute for oils. Acrylics are very versatile and can obtain results that are truly exciting and sensuous. They can be employed in traditional ways, yet they can be pushed in new innovative directions as well. I try to embrace and learn about all mediums of visual expression. I feel that it is important for artists and instructors to stay informed of the new products available to them and to learn how to get the most out of the products for their personal expression."
APRIL 2011
The works represented at the Wellington Street Gallery are from two different thematic explorations, The Flaw (Red Reveal) and Instinct (The Find and Self Reflection).
With the theme of the flaw I was reacting to our society's judgment about what constitutes beauty as well as our desire to conceal what isn't deemed to be“beautiful” and our tendency to create harmonious “flawless” surfaces or facades. My pieces focus on the process of what underlies the finished surface. The surfaces are not one solid harmonious colour nor do they have a smooth machine like texture. The process of scraping away paint and leaving the under layers exposed is a way of allowing the viewer to see – and better understand – what lies beneath. For me, these “imperfections” and the glimpse they provide into the history of the work constitute the beauty of the piece. My works are finished with a transparent plastic coating, which is an effort to reveal, enhance and protect these beautiful imperfections – or what some might view as flaws.
The other pieces are exploring my struggle with the loss of instinct in my creative process. They are self portraits and an attempt to access the part of me that did once respond to subject and materials so liberally, without self consciousness. Found objects are the focal points, one being a painted representation and the other actually progressing to incorporate the actual object into the work. Leaving accidents and accentuating the imperfections is expanded upon in my work. In some of my works I have used a paint colour called Liquid Mirror, which is a literal attempt to self reflect on my creative instincts.
BIOGRAPHY - Connie Morris
Connie has both a strong theoretical and practical background in visual art. She has been a practicing artist and instructor for over 15 years.
She has a Bachelor of Fine Art and a Bachelor of Education (Artist In The Community Program) from Queen's University. She also studied New Media Design at Sheridan College. Her visual art teaching experience includes Secondary, Post Secondary, school enrichment programs, specialty private classes for young children through to adult aged students.
Connie is an ardent supporter of Tri-Art products which she has been using since their inception in 1994.
Acrylic Education Philosohpy: "I discovered acrylics post oils. I soon realized that acrylics weren't merely a substitute for oils. Acrylics are very versatile and can obtain results that are truly exciting and sensuous. They can be employed in traditional ways, yet they can be pushed in new innovative directions as well. I try to embrace and learn about all mediums of visual expression. I feel that it is important for artists and instructors to stay informed of the new products available to them and to learn how to get the most out of the products for their personal expression."
Price list November 2011
