The Thames Art Gallery announces the opening of two new exhibitions: "Skids, Skips and Prints" by Lowell Bradshaw and "Spark Joy!" with the Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent. The exhibitions open on Friday, November 3 at 7:00 pm with a gathering in the gallery to congratulate the artists and celebrate the work.
Lowell Bradshaw returns to the Thames Art Gallery in this sequel to the project he first began with his exhibition "No Signal" in 2014. Some ten years later, "Skids, Skips and Prints" picks up where “No Signal” left off. With an array of large-scale and brilliantly coloured abstract work, the artist animates the surfaces of his canvases and creates a journey that takes the viewer through the gallery space. Using his trademark command of diverse hues, complex compositions, and thoughtful processes, the artist invites the viewer to enjoy, explore, and reflect.
A gifted painter, Bradshaw navigates the long and illustrious history of painting within the context of a dominant digital culture.
Writer Ksenya Kiebuzinski says of Bradshaw's work: "There are 750 billion images across Internet platforms, an estimated 800 million videos on YouTube alone, and viewers can now generate digital images using "AI programs" trained on human-made art scraped from the Web. Instant access to a vast deluge of information (and dis-, mis- and un-information) make things discoverable and knowable for a moment before they are forgotten in our peek-a-boo world."
For Bradshaw, the long tradition of painting has a vital role to play in slowing down this overload of information. By reconstructing the visual disruptions focused on the virtual glitch, he asserts a richer experience of a world rooted in contemplation and craftsmanship.
Spark Joy! presents work from artists across CK, including older adults and those living with dementia. The challenging and often destructive effects of isolation are still fresh in the minds of many in this community. Each piece in this exhibition offers a unique perspective and creative voice as Spark Joy! demonstrates the powerful role art plays in the well-being of all. It is produced in conjunction with local artist and therapist Krista Schneider and in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Chatham-Kent.
There will be an artist’s reception at the Thames Art Gallery to celebrate both exhibitions on Friday, November 3 starting at 7:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served. The exhibition runs through January 14, 2024. The gallery is fully accessible. As always, admission is free, but donations are welcome.
TAG is located at 75 William Street North, Chatham. Hours are Wednesday to Sunday 11:00 am – 4:00 pm, with extended hours on Thursdays 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Everyone is welcome to these free, family-friendly events, so take this opportunity to support your local art scene and experience the vibrant artistic community of Chatham-Kent.
For more information, please visit us at www.tagartspace.com. You can also follow us @TAGCK and @ARTspaceCK for updates and complete program listings.
We look forward to seeing you!
Media Contact:
Phil Vanderwall
Curator, Thames Art Gallery & ARTspace
Municipality of Chatham-Kent
519-360-1998 x 4422
philv@chatham-kent.ca
