The Symbolic Language of Abstract Expression Reflections
on Jewish Heritage
Three Non-Objective Artists Show
Rina Gottesman,Bianka Guna, and Rachel Ovadia
at the City Hall of Vaughan July 20th -September 7th 2012
When Sharon Gaum Kuchar ,the Arts Coordinator for the Recreation and Culture Department at
the City of Vaughan , called me a few months
ago to ask me if I wanted to participate into an abstract expressionist ,three
artists group show, at the City Hall of Vaughan ,I answered
immediately, "Yes".
The New City Hall of Vaughan Building , 2012
First because I am truly admiring the works of the
other two artists, Rina Gottesman and Rachel Ovadia , second because of the
brand new venue, a state of the art public building less than two years old,
and most importantly , third, the fact that I collaborated in the past with
Sharon, and she is a very knowledgeable and relentless working advocate for the arts. I knew we will
be in the most capable hands.
I met Sharon almost ten years ago , before she took
over the job in Vaughan,before leaving the Chief Curator position, at Varley Art Gallery in Unionville, and she instilled
her enthusiasm and love for art in every possible way :organizing local
juried shows and festivals, creating a faculty for community centers art
classes, acquiring works for the city corporation to adorn public buildings(
libraries, city halls, community centers...), implementing a great system for
renting historical restored buildings to non-profit art organizations and local
artists , helping young students to collaborate with experienced ones through
special coaching programs and shows.
The three of us, Rina , Rachael and me, were previous
winners of the Vaughan Juried Art Exhibition Art Integration Project , in
separate years, and the three of us were between the happy artists to have our
works hung in public spaces in Vaughan City .My piece "Barcodes 101"
is now displayed in the public library of the city.
For this new show " The Symbolic Language of
Abstract Expression Reflections on Jewish Heritage", Sharon indicated that she needed to hung a
body of work related to our Jewish roots
, and I instantly remembered my " Kaleidoscopic Days" series.
A body of 17 works painted five months earlier , during the winter of 2011,"Kaleidoscopic Days" were showing , earlier this year, in February 2012 ,in a solo show at Balzac's Cafe
, in The Distillery District in Toronto
, where I have my studio, and sold a few , but still had enough of them for the three artists exhibit.
She loved them instantly,
choosing a grouping of five, all different sizes, from 40"x60" to 36"x 18" for a more interesting
look. I stated that these works were painted in my studio in November -
December 2011 , while listening to Nini Ahinoam (known by international world of
music as Noa),the first lady of the Israeli Jazz.
Soon , after the dates for the
show were decided, July 20- Sept 8, 2012, Sharon sent us a beautiful catalogue
and press kit , with our statements and she came to pick the works from all
three of us with great care, personally .
On the opening day , Friday July 20, 2012, I went to the City Hall of
Vaughan in the afternoon and met there good artists friends who
wanted to see the show. I had high hopes , and the show was indeed spectacular!
Everybody loved the way Sharon hung together the pieces.
It is a true pleasure and an honor to work with you , Sharon!
Rina and Rachel are dream partners
for a non- objective show!
Lady Luck finally stepped on our street!
