Spirit and Paint
March 31 to May 2, 2010
Reception April 10, 3 to 5 pm

A splash of colour greets the month of April as the Visiting Artist Series wraps up with new paintings by Paul Shilling and Jennifer Porter.

Ojibway artist Paul Shilling comes from an impressive family of artists spanning four generations, including his late brother, the highly acclaimed painter Arthur Shilling. Paul's painting practice is deeply rooted in traditional aboriginal spiritualism. His highly focused and carefully executed works carry the scars of a collective past but are overlaid with a more redemptive and expressive rebirth.

“For me, my painting is a medium for healing, for celebrating spirit. It is a gift and an opportunity to explore and understand myself, my place and relationship within the circle of creation.”

Jennifer Porter is a recent graduate of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design who just really likes to get into the spirit of paint. “My practice is about paint and what it is to paint. It pays homage to its physical materiality and adaptability. I pour, layer, drip or smear painterly strokes. Paint is a sensual and dynamic substance and that inspires me....”

Porter also layers and merges secondary constructed narratives into her viscous, pour and drip style – teasing out Rorschach-like interpretations of ‘ambiguous design’ in search of broader cultural meaning.

and....A Special Musical Performance

Our special musical guest this month is our very own MUSE editor, painter, and chanteuse, Janie Barker! Not many in the BMFA know that Janie, in her previous life in New Orleans and Texas, was a dynamite nightclub performer. We are very pleased that she has agreed to share her rare talent with us for the Paint and Spirit reception on April 10 from 3 to 5 pm. Janie will be accompanied by versatile keyboardist John Eversfield, himself no stranger to BMFA musical events. Don't miss it!

The Exhibition Committee would like to thank the Town of Collingwood for their generous financial support for this series of contemporary art exhibitions as well as Donna Shortt of BMO Nesbitt Burns for her support of our visiting artist talks at the Arts Centre.