“Where the Waters Meet: Art from Canada's Two Coasts.” by Karen Mackay

Vernissage: Saturday September 27, 1-5 pm

Galerie Old Chelsea is pleased to present an exhibit where the viewer can see an intimate look at

abstract art created during two separate residencies: one on Toronto Island, Ontario, and the other in Pouch Cove, Newfoundland. Each piece is a personal journey, revealing how working alone in these wildly different Canadian landscapes shaped the artist's unique, non-representational vision.

On Toronto Island, the art captures a quiet, peaceful feeling. The huge lake and its interaction with the cityscape provides a calm backdrop for the island’s unique blend of serene moments and vibrant life. You’ll see the essence of the flora and fauna, and the interplay of light across the gentle shores and greenery, distilled into evocative shapes, textures, and palettes. The expansive lake itself becomes a subject; its tranquility and vastness translated into abstract form.

In sharp contrast, the abstract work from Pouch Cove, Newfoundland, is all about rugged, untamed beauty. The artist faced the powerful Atlantic Ocean and its relentless carving of dramatic cliffs and coves, translating these forces into dynamic compositions. The ocean is the star here, its raw power and endless movement reinterpreted through bold marks and innovative textures. Expect to see the influence of the hardy coastal flora and fauna defying the wind and the raw textures of rock and sea spray. The relentless energy of the ocean fuels a distinct abstract vocabulary that tells a story of enduring strength.                                                                                                 

This collection truly explores how these two different environments, each with its own character, can get woven into the artwork. It blends the serene with the wild through vivid abstract depictions of nature's beauty, standing as a testament to the profound impact of working alone in such inspiring places.

Galerie Old Chelsea, which features local artists, is located in the beautiful Gatineau Hills above award-winning Les Fougères restaurant situated at 783 route 105, Chelsea, Québec, J9B1P1.

www.galerieoldchelsea.ca; Facebook: Galerie Old Chelsea (on Route 105, not on Scott)

For information contact Anne Swiderski at 819 827 8504 at swiderski.anne@gmail.com.