Muir Gallery - Exhibition Archives

Hours & Location

440 Anderton Ave Courtenay, BC
250-334-2983
Tues to Sat 11am to 4pm

Artist Jenja McIntyre hosts solo exhibition at the Muir Gallery
The Muir Gallery welcomes you with it's first exhibition of the new year: Identity Negotiation Exhibition Opening Reception: Jan 9 from 7 to 9pm Show Runs: Jan 9 to Jan 31 Opening Jan 9th at the Muir gallery, “Identity Negotiation” is the gallery’s first show of the 2009 season. The show features the paintings and assemblages of Comox Valley artist Jenja McIntyre in her debut one-person show. The work of this emerging artist displays her highly evolved concept of personal identity in masterful paintings of the human face rendered on highly textured surfaces. The expressive yet delicately rendered faces of men, women and children are painted on canvases that have been ripped apart then sewn back together using large crude stitches often leaving ragged holes or bulky overlaps in the canvas. On this textured and tortured surface Jenja paints, in loose flowing strokes soft lyrical human faces. Jenja explains that the torn and sewn canvas represents the way in which humans construct their identities from bits and pieces of experiences and aspirations. As Jenja describes it, “my art work is a kind of cross-roads where psychology meets art.” Growing up at the foot of the Alberta Rockies, Jenja strongly felt the lure of the West eventually settling in Victoria where she enrolled at University of Victoria. She began her studies with a major in Mathematics and a minor in History but somehow she felt that something was missing in her life. Jenja explains, “I have always had a love of math and history but I was always an active child artist as well. My mother has tons of my early art work stored away. When I started University I decided to set my painting aside for the stability of an academic career. It didn’t really work. One day sitting in a math lecture across the hall I could see the art students were painting and I knew that “art” was the something that was missing.” Above all Jenja is very articulate about her intentions, her aspirations and how her work expresses her vision. Her work is clearly conceptual. Every painting in the show has been carefully thought out and yet Jenja does not sacrifice spontaneity for reason. Her characters are real people brought to life with insight and humanity. Though founded in the intellect Jenja’s paintings pay obvious tribute to the warmth and vitality of the emotions. Working out of the studio that North Island College provides the fourth year students, Jenja has produced a remarkable body of work. Says Jenja “The studio that the college has given me to use has been a real inspiration, it’s my sanctuary. Being able to spend the entire day working undisturbed in my own space, well; it just doesn’t get any better.” Everyone is invited to meet Jenja McIntyre and see her latest works at the opening of “Identity Negotiation” at the Muir Gallery, 440 Anderton avenue, in Courtenay (across from the Filberg Centre) Friday Jan 9th , 7pm to 9pm. The Muir Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am to 4pm. This exhibit will run until Jan 31. The Arts Council of the Comox Valley is excited to support our communities emerging artists and for more information on this exhibit please visit our website at www.comoxvalleyarts.org. Read More...
29 Dec 2008 - 16:38 by admin	Exhibition Archives |

MUIR GALLERY CALENDAR 2007

Local Colours Festival
Sept 13-16 Downtown Courtenay

Work from the Local Colours Festival,
Show Runs: Sept 16- 29
Opening: Sun Sept 16 from 1-3pm

Explorations of the Landscape by Artist Kristin Russell
Show Runs: Oct 5- Nov 3
Opening: Fri Oct 5 from 7-9pm

Construction Site an Installation by Grace Wolff
Show Runs: Nov 9 – Dec 1
Opening: Fri Nov 9 from 7-9pm

Gourds by artist Kim Lewis
Show Runs: Dec 7- 29
Opening Fri Dec 7 from 7-9pm