GJ Pearson, Dab Gallery, Victoria, BC, March 21-April 22, 2009

PRESS RELEASE:

Contact:

Andrew Todd, Carolyn Butula

Dab Gallery

#6 532 ½ Dragon Alley

Victoria, B.C.

250-590-ARTT (2788)

info@dabgallery.com

www.dabgallery.com

For Immediate Release

Dab Gallery, Victoria’s newest contemporary art gallery, invites you to step into the imaginary world of G.J. Pearson’s “Toyland of Milk and Honey” from Mach 21^st to April 22^nd. A land of discarded ornamental figurines and forgotten fairy tales, “Toyland of Milk and Honey” is an exhibition of Pearson’s newest sculptures and paintings.

Pearson’s sculptures resemble figurines that we have seen in our pasts that were passed over without discourse but are recognizable none-the-less. Inherently idiosyncratic and interesting, they draw the viewer into the characters evoked. The obscurity of the uncanny toy-like pieces implores the viewer to actively participate in Pearsons’ work, drawing on memories and past experiences to complete the narrative of each piece.

G.J Pearson’s studio, a whimsical toyland itself, reflects the sincerity in his work. At first glance, toys are scattered throughout, but with closer examination these toys lead you into a voyeuristic experience towards the discovery and deeper inherit meaning of the art. The process is exciting, playful, and engaging, and as a result, creates a symbiotic relationship between viewer, muse and artist. Pearson lives in his work and his work lives within him.

The public is invited to experience Pearson’s work and meet with the artist personally at the show’s opening reception on March 21 from 2-6pm at Dab Gallery Suite #6 532 ½ Fisgard in Dragon Alley Chinatown.

Dab Gallery is Victoria’s newest contemporary art gallery located in historic Chinatown’s Dragon Alley in the Design District of Victoria. Dab features a collection of works by both emerging and established artists using a variety of media including painting, sculpture, ceramic, glasswork and mixed media.

Since it’s opening in December 2008 Dab has been active in the community. It was a venue for the Converge event of the 2009 Victoria Film Festival and is a major sponsor of the 2009 Human Rights DocFest.

For more information please visit Dab’s Website at www.dabgallery.com or call 250 590-ARTT (2788)

Victoria Film Festival – Dab Gallery

 

We’re pleased to announce that Dab Gallery will be a venue for Converge, which is a special part of the Victoria Film Festival.  

 

 

ConVerge

On February 7th where do you like to watch?Book for ConVerge One from 2-4:30pm, ConVerge Two from 4:30-7pm or both! Venues include Fan Tan Alley, a parked car, a loft in Chinatown, rooftops in Dragon Alley and over a cup of coffee. We scoured the globe and plumbed the depths of local talent to put together a program of wonderful short films, and then we found some unusual locations around the city to show them.  Everything is fair game as ConVergers take to the streets and unique spaces of Chinatown to see how far the festival can push the technology. Making use of old and new delivery systems you’ll watch movies from hand held projectors, video walkmans, portable DVD players and hand cranked players. Wander the streets and venture into little known nooks and crannys to watch the films that capture your imagination. The locations will often be as stimulating as the films themselves, and in many cases reveal a side of Victoria seldom seen by the public.

 

Dab Gallery Grand Opening

The grand opening of Dab Gallery was a great time.  Thanks to all of our friends, family, and especially the artists who made this all happen.  

You can see some photos from the opening at:

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewtodd/sets/72157610880419200/show/

New Gallery, New Blog

 

We’re going to use this blog to update all of the new things happening here at Dab Gallery. You can visit our website at: www.dabgallery.com

This is the article that ran in the paper for the opening.

Dab’s Grand Opening show includes the works by artists hand-picked by the owners. The artists will be on-hand to talk about their work.

On 6th December 2008 Dab Gallery, Victoria’s newest contemporary art gallery, invites the public to mark its Grand Opening from 1pm to 5pm at #6 532 1/2 Fisgard Street in Dragon Alley.Dab features a collection of works by both emerging and established artists using a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, ceramic, glasswork and mixed media.Dab is located in Chinatown’s historic Dragon Alley, Victoria’s best kept secret and fast becoming a prominent feature to the city’s design district.

Owners Carolyn Butula and Andrew Todd believe that Dab Gallery offers a unique and intimate space to showcase the works of talented artists.

“We are excited to share with the community the inspiration and beauty we have found in the works of our artists. We work with the client to find art that is suited toward their personality, taste and environment, “says Butula.

Dab not only caters to private collectors, but also works with businesses.

“We take into account lighting, budget and design concepts while working personally with business owners to enhance their desired image,” says Todd.

Autumn Skye Morrison, from the Sunshine Coast, uses mixed media to “portray spiritual essence in physical and realistic form.”

“Texture, colour and mixed media bring the image into our physical space, creating an interactive and sensory experience. My intent is to reveal a symbiotic relationship between artist, muse and viewer,” says Morrison.

Isa Sevrain, originally from Berson in west South France, focuses on ceramic, but she also works in acrylic paint, ink, collage and other media.

“My approach to everything I create artistically is through dance: when I draw, I dance with line; when I paint, I dance in colour; and when I work the clay, I dance with its mass. Movement fascinates me because it becomes an expression. And I plan to keep on dancing,” says Sevrain.

The style of Robert’s work is strongly dependent on his use of line to create form. These forms are then enhanced by a fearless use of colour. Influenced by Picasso, he has made attempts at ’rounding cubism.’ His other influences include Dali, Van Gogh, Lautrec, Da Vinci and Michelango.” Says a critic.

Robert Fisher, born and raised in Winnipeg, focuses on conceptual and constructivist sculpture. He takes mechanical cast-offs which he organizes and assembles into something of which the original manufacturers would never have conceived.

“The pieces are assembled from a disparate array of discarded mechanical parts, with no welding, through the use of bolts, screws, threaded rods and pop rivets,” says Fisher.

“My process of making art involves an exploration of the relationship between people and technology. I believe that we exist today mostly because of our unique intelligence and the development of tools, which have given us the means to protect ourselves and the development of tools,” says Fisher.

Residential building and graphic designer, jazz drummer and artist, Fisher’s multiple vocations are linked by a profound interest in the qualities of organization, graphic and abstract representation, with disparate and discrete elements coming together to form something greater, unpredictable, and, hopefully, beautiful.