Exhibitions of “small works” are a time-honoured tradition in galleries, often hosting many artists in a variety of media. In an effort to show many pieces by many makers, the works installed must then, by the necessity of space and physics, be small. Small Quirks is a display of SCC members’ works with a playful twist on that genre of exhibition. We asked for smaller pieces, to accommodate many of our talented craftspeople, makers, and artists. We also asked for “Quirks” – to be interpreted by the makers as they wished. A quirk is typically understood to be some sort of peculiar… thing. Perhaps an odd habit, unusual action, strange material, or, to be wordy, idiosyncratic characteristic. The result is this exhibition, featuring 72 Saskatchewan makers and 99 works, which is chock full of oddities, experimentations, and reflections.

Quirks are expressed by artists in this exhibition in many ways. Jaedean Mitchell’s Banana Anyone? challenges our expectations of the mundane with whimsy and humour. Zach Hauser’s Flare utilizes a specific woodworking detail, literally called a ‘quirk.’ Many works in this exhibition reflect on nature, referencing quirks of evolution, endangered species, or even creating new animals – such as Sarah Lightfoot Wagner’s It Followed Me Home. Makers have also told us stories through their Small Quirks; Evan Quick has created gallbladders for those lost, gifting this strange organ/object importance to rival a Saint’s body part. Gwen Klypak wrote her story and wove it into a new shape, a strange and unknowable book. We would be remiss to not mention those works which aim to discuss or unburden themselves of the difficult feelings around our current world state, including but not limited to climate change disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, Small Quirks invites the viewer to spend time and explore the variety, skill, and meaning expressed through our members’ minds and hands. We hope you enjoy this exhibition.

– Stephanie Canning and Maia Stark, SCC Exhibition Coordinators

Artist Statements

For artist statements, click to enlarge each thumbnail picture in the gallery below.