ARTIST TALK: Bill Friesen this Saturday Jan 23 @ 2pm
Location: Muir Gallery, 440 Anderton Ave, Courtenay
Admission is free!
Artist’s review of “Bill Friesen – A Sculptor’s Odyssey” by Grace Wolff, BFA AE
I attended the public opening of “Bill Friesen – A Sculptor’s Odyssey” on Friday, January 8th of the show “at the little Muir Gallery tucked in under the Cona Hostel right beside the 5th Street Bridge. A hundred people filtered in and out during the two hours, and in tune with the visual impact of the work I spotted Bill, a white bearded solid little man who looked more like a wood gnome than an ex cop from Winnipeg, Manitoba. He now lives and works fully as an artist in Bowser. I asked him about the source of his inspiration as he was running out the door. “Miro and Picasso” we both stated, answering my own question.
My first glimpse of Bill Friesen’s sculptures was peering through the window of the Muir Gallery in the dim morning light. CN railway markers came to mind with their flat colourful steel planes welded together and mounted on pedestals. Coincidentally, Winnipeg is where Canada’s CN train yards are centered and Bill would go to the shops and scavenge for metal to weld into sculptures in the 70’s. His work subtly echoes blue-collar work issues. Some pieces appear to be kinetic, echoing Alexander Calder’s work but the sculptures are still rather than active, except for one that is motion-sensor activated and swings paddles at a strategic hip height. There is one piece that alludes to a killer whale caught in a net done in steel and iron grid and painted in bright colours.
Then there are the intriguing dioramas with a voodistic overtone. Assemblages with bones and feathers have heads on stakes with purple eyebrows that appear comical in a gruesome scenario. Non- movable marionettes are made from what look like spools but are apparently strange creepy skeletons.
He is also proficient at carving the masks he paints. Basswood transforms into heads that tell stories of deeper thoughts and visions. Puzzle piece faces, double faces, and exaggerated features are embellished with chain, old brooms for hair, wire, computer motherboards and spinal tap needles.
There are miniature paintings reminiscent of Picasso, a phallic woodcarving and a carved eagle of soapstone that all show remarkable skill and an ability to work in many mediums. He explores a wide variety of issues around work, religion, as well as an array of uncomfortable human traits. Perception of others and internal reflection seem to meet on his field of vision. The work is varied and prolific initiating a distinct response in the viewer.
Bill will be discussing his process, his life and art on Saturday January 23rd at 2 pm at the Muir Gallery, 440 Anderton Avenue, Courtenay. The show runs until January 30 and is free to attend.FMI on this and other Comox Valley Community Arts Council Events please visit the website at www.comoxvalleyarts.org or call the Muir Gallery at 250-334-2983.
