Contributed to The Chief
A display called Wavelength by the Groundworks artist collective will be displayed until Oct. 13 in the Foyer Gallery at the Squamish Public Library.
Groundworks is a small collective of artists based in the Lower Mainland. The impetus to form Groundworks came form a mutual desire to give back to the environment. The group is interested in using recycled and environmentally friendly materials whenever possible. Their mandate is to give 10 per cent of all sales to environmental causes.
Jessica, one of the three exhibitors, received her degree in visual arts from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design (ECIAD) in May of 2000. She studied both printmaking as well as 3D. At her studio Bad Dog Arts, Jessica focuses on solar etching, which is free of harmful chemicals and acids. Once a solar etching plate has been coated with a water- soluble material, it is then exposed to sunlight, which hardens the material, and fixes it to the plate. This plate is then coated with ink and printed onto recycled paper.
Elizabeth Harris-Nichols received her degree from ECIAD in 1991, with a major in painting. At her studio Bad Dog Arts, Elizabeth continues to paint. Often, she will paint on found objects. She also uses a variety of mediums including ceramics and recycled metal. Her works are energetic and consistent, and has a large following of clients from Washington to Whistler. Dr. Vigari's Gallery in Vancouver currently represents Elizabeth's work.
Rebecca Pasch received her degree from ECIAD in May of 2000. She majored in Photography with a minor in Sculpture. She likes to use found wood and other found objects as framing devices for her photographs. She uses a second-hand medium format camera to capture reflection and impressionistic-style landscapes.
The works in this exhibition are oceanic in theme, including seafaring vessels and marine animals, water and landscape. The unifying components of this collective body of work is not only the theme but the attention to detail - the textures, the colours, the freedom of creativity, the salty ocean breeze and the sound of the waves licking the shore.
