Emma Bound
Exhibition Dates: July 15 – August 20, 2016
Reception: Tuesday, July 26, 7 – 9 pm
Location: Saskatchewan Craft Council Gallery, 813 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon, SK
This exhibition showcases the eclectic, imaginative and energetic work of the 2016 EMMA International Collaboration participants and invited guest artists. Featuring work in many media, including wood, fibre, ceramics, mixed media and visual art, it is a vibrant show that the whole family can enjoy.
EMMA Auctions
Ness Creek
Date: Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Hours: 4 – 6 pm
Location: Ness Creek Festival Site, Big River, SK • Directions
Saskatoon
Date: Thursday, August 4, 2016
Hours:
• Doors open at 5 pm
• Silent auction from 5 – 7 pm
• Live auction begins at 7 pm
Location: Holy Family Cathedral, 123 Nelson Road, Saskatoon, SK
These art auctions are free and open to the public. See what artistic magic occurred at the weeklong 2016 EMMA International Collaboration. This could be the beginning of your art collection! Collaborative artwork created by international, national and local artists. Proceeds help fund future EMMA Collaborations.
Bettina Matzkuhn
www.emmacollaboration.com/artists/bettina-matzkuhn
In one sentence describe the piece you are submitting to Emma Bound.
Fire –metaphoric or real – is part of many craft processes, essential for transformation, entailing risk and danger and I imagine it will be part of this experience.
Tell us about your creative process – in general and/or specifically for your Emma Bound piece.
I think through my materials. For larger series, I do a lot of research that results in cluttered sketchbooks. While I plan and draw a lot, the work never fully takes shape in my mind. It appears as I work on it. The surfaces and textures of textile and thread are how I interpret the world. For this piece, I wanted especially saturated colours and simple shapes. I think I often overwork things, so it seemed like a good time to pare back.
What currently inspires you and which other artists do you admire and why?
I am inspired by surfaces and views in the natural world, but also by work in other fields –science, cartography, and data visualizations. Books, dance, film, journalism, theatre etcetera move me. Ideas and metaphors to gather are everywhere, the trick is to refine and materialize them.
I was hired as a summer student to work in a craft store in 1978 and was in love with the work I saw there. I still get excited about a simple pot or wooden box. I admire many craftspeople for their inquisitiveness, inventiveness and dedication. Significant artists for me include Ayako Miyawaki –delicate, elegant and humorous textile works; Alex Colville for his portrayal of the mystery of being human and not paying attention to what’s “in”; Faith Ringgold for her vision and feistiness. And many of my friends who underestimate their creativity but who do remarkable work.
Where are you from and what do you love and/or hate about that place?
I grew up and live in Vancouver (although I have lived in other places). I love the West Coast for the mountains and thick forests, the glacier eroded shapes of the land and the endless views as you climb higher. As a city, I love the crossroads-of-the-world feeling of Vancouver, but I hate that I can barely afford to live here. I gave up my studio last year as it was becoming too expensive.
Tell us if this is your first time or 10th time attending Emma International Collaboration. What are you looking forward to? What does “making collaborative art work” mean to you? Is it a struggle to “let go” at times?
This is my first time at Emma. I am looking forward to talking shop with people. After getting a degree in fine arts and showing in public galleries for years, I have come to see that the craft community is where I feel most at home. I feel I am understood, and have much in common with other craftspeople.
Collaboration comes in many forms. I have had the good fortune of working with others, for example: a sailmaker and meteorologist. They were perhaps more like mentors yet their input shaped my projects. I am keen to experiment and bring what I see as my strong points (patience, good small motor skills, willingness to re-do things) to the process.
BONUS – Give us a quote or sentiment to live by.
You don’t know ‘til you find out.
Bill Dorman
www.emmacollaboration.com/artists/bill-dorman
In one sentence, describe the piece you are submitting to Emma Bound.
Formed steel copper and silver sculpture of 3 figures piecing together their work with each figure holding their element.
Tell us about your creative process – in general and/or specifically for your Emma Bound piece.
In general I work with metal and found objects and thing else I can get my hands on to create sculptural works that range across functional, whimsical and social commentary.
What currently inspires you and which other artists do you admire and why?
Currently I am doing work with sculptural/functional lights as well as figure work in steel and mixed metals. My commentary pieces are revolving around the disgusting and inhumane approach Australia has taken toward the refugee issues. My favourite artist is Alexander Calder through his simple and whimsical work.
Where are you from and what do you love and/or hate about that place?
I am from the city of Goulburn on the eastern side of Australia, about 1hr north of our capital. We, as a country, are currently in an election year which is highlighting a depressing show of the inhumane treatment with which our countries leaders treat refugees and asylum seekers for political purposes and our overall inability to deal with the realities of climate change. As a parent, an Artist, a teacher of kids at risk, a committed social and environmental activist and a human being, this frames my art and my life.
Tell us if this is your first time or 10th time attending Emma International Collaboration. What are you looking forward to?
This is my first time at Emma and I am excited by the creative energy and can do approach of the collaborations I have been to in Australia and New Zealand. I am looking forward to the crossing of minds and the new ideas and pathways that will develop from this event. Letting someone else into you’re creative inner sanctum and visa versa is like falling in love.(without all the hassles:)
What does “making collaborative art work” mean to you? Is it a struggle to “let go” at times?
To me the opening up and sharing of minds, the give and take, the no problems only solutions approach of collaboration is the ultimate creative experience.
I enjoy and thrive on the letting go as this is how I work in my hands on workshop based teaching practice with kids at risk and others. In collaborating everyone’s approach is valid and the fun and excitement lies in the shared choices and journeys taken and not necessarily the end product.
BONUS – Give us a quote or sentiment to live by.
As handed down from my father at a time when I was a slightly misguided or lost teen. “As long as you put more into life than you take out then the world has to be a better place”
Melody Armstrong
www.emmacollaboration.com/artists/melody-armstrong
In one sentence describe the piece you are submitting to Emma Bound.
My piece STEEL AURORA BRACELET was inspired by a collaboration I was working on with Glen Grismer who contributed the aurora steel pieces at Emma 2014.
Tell us about your creative process – in general and/or specifically for your Emma Bound piece.
My creative prosses involves varied interplays of colours and textures to create distinctive contrasts. I like to play with structural form, created to deliberately play with negative and positive space. My jewellery designs testify to the textural dynamic and technical approach within my practice, seeming to have evolved organically, taking on an industrial influence.
What currently inspires you and which other artists do you admire and why?
I am inspired by so many things, images, elements, patterns, structures, architecture, nature.
I admire Todd Reed, I love his raw aesthetic. I admire Sydney Lynch for her combination of oxidized, gold and lots of gems. I admire Pawel Kaczynski for his fabric like metal treatments.
I admire Luisa Satori and Rex Ray for their use of geometric shapes and pattern.
Where are you from and what do you love and/or hate about that place?
I am from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. I love the sunshine but hate winter.
Tell us if this is your first time or 10th time attending Emma International Collaboration. What are you looking forward to?
This will be my third time at Emma, I am looking forward to sharing this great experience with my boyfriend Terry Johnston! It will be so much fun! I am looking forward to creating outside for a week, meeting new people and re acquainting with old friends.
What does “making collaborative art work” mean to you? Is it a struggle to “let go” at times?
It is freeing and liberating and the best environment, being outdoors creating art in nature with so many like minded artist in one place.
BONUS – Give us a quote or sentiment to live by.
Follow your passion, don’t let fear hold you back, step out of the comfort zone and dream big!