A DeWinton artist’s portrayal of brutish architecture hangs in a Foothills gallery amongst dozens of pieces created by emerging artists in a unique exhibition.
Manny Blair is the sole Foothills artist among 15 from across southern Alberta showcased in the Leighton Art Centre’s newest exhibition, A Point on the Horizon, a metaphor for the artistic practice that represents the ever-changing point that’s always out of reach.
The exhibit is on display until Aug. 4.
With a love of architecture and a fascination with structures, particularly buildings most people would turn their noses up at, Blair developed an abstract brutalism style where he paints layers of colours and shapes, often representing architecture, on garish fabric and reworks the images using power tools to sand, scrape and burn areas of the painting.
“It’s brutish architecture and creating that sense of presence and menacing imagery,” he said. “There are definitely structural components. It’s familiar in one sense in that there are architectural drawings within it but it’s abstract within the whole piece.”
Artists selected to show in A Point on the Horizon were given carte blanche to submit whatever type of work they’re pursuing, said Blair.
Blair, who has a background in landscape architecture and a love for big, bold structures, considers his work self-indulgent.
“Part of it stems back from when I was a kid and my nana used to live in Liverpool in this dreadful social housing apartments,” he said. “They were massive buildings that were derelict and only 20 years old. That stark unpleasant imagery stuck with me. It was certainly a starting point.”
His work was exhibited last year at the Okotoks Art Gallery and a group exhibition in Calgary.
Leighton Art Centre executive director Stephanie Doll commissioned former employee Melissa Cole, of Calgary, to curate the exhibition.
“I wanted it to be a little bit different from what the Leighton usually has, to show what kind of talent is out there in Calgary and area – ceramics, glasswork, textile, photography, painting and drawing,” said Cole. “It’s quite a variety and different styles. I think it’s very interesting.”
Each artist has a wall or section showcasing their work, said Cole, while three-dimensional pieces are clustered in artist groups.
While working with the artists to put the show together, Cole said she was impressed with their dedication to their craft, as well as their commitment and perseverance.
She said the idea of implementing an exhibition showcasing emerging artists was to give them more exposure, yet she said her definition of emerging artists may vary from others.
“When we say emerging artists, a lot of people think of brand new graduates, but in my experience and knowledge an emerging artist is someone who has been working for several years who has had some exhibits and is becoming more and more into the spotlight and is getting more exposure,” she said.
Cole said these artists are well on their way to becoming professional artists.
“They’re at a point now that they’re about to explode,” she said. “They’ve all been working really hard and they’re very talented. I think they deserve the recognition.”
The Leighton Art Centre is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
