WILD IN THE CITY 

Group Show

EXHIBITION DATES: July 5-28, 2018

The effect an urban environment has on its inhabitants and they have on it -whether plant, animal or human, is featured in the works of the 4 artists in WILD IN THE CITY.

THE ARTISTS:

LINDSEY MACKAY

My art touches emotions and evokes arousal, curiosity, and happiness. I put these feelings into every painting as I escape into my work momentarily forgetting the daily existence of time and space. I wanted to use subjects for “wild In the City” which seemed slightly outside the box of what is to be expected. For example the subject of children’s temper tantrums evoked feelings within in me of wild times in my personal family life. A couple embracing on the ledge of a graffiti ridden building, and an elderly couple living out their wild side, dancing amongst a busy city street scene also intrigued me.

My art encourages lively conversation about the subject and admiration for the piece itself. My paintings are as much about their visual style as they are about their tactile experience. I am eager to explore unique colour combinations to create an alluring contrast to showcase the realistic and stylized imagery I enjoy.

Lindsey MacKay resides in Fredericton and has successfully sold her work within Canada, the United States, and Europe. Her work is featured in numerous downtown restaurants in the city, and she has also donated her paintings to several charity events. Her work hangs in government offices and in the Fredericton city hall gallery. In the past she has competed in art battle events which led her to competing in Art Battle Nationals in Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens, making it to the final round and placing in the Top 6. Lindsey has also featured her work in a solo exhibition at The Glencross gallery in Fredericton, The Creek village gallery in Woodstock, and been in group exhibitions at the Urban Gallery in Toronto.

Her work celebrates texture, structure, and colour for people to enjoy and appreciate. Each painting reveals dimension and vibrancy, which is amplified using unexpected colours and texture 

ERIK CHONG

‘Plastic pollution continues to be a major global issue. It represents a real challenge to the ocean ecosystems and the environment, not only endangering marine life and wildlife but to humans as well. Scientists have found microplastics and nanoplastics in our soil, tap water, bottled water and even in the air we breathe. We were living without plastic until mass production began in the beginning of the 1940's and 1950's. The United Kingdom will be the first to ban plastic straws as soon as 2019 and plans to get rid of all plastic waste by 2042. We all have to do our share to save the environment.’

Erik Chong is a multidisciplinary visual artist who specializes in abstract painting and contemporary calligraphy. Erik likes to create his artwork out of the ordinary and continues to explore new ideas for his art. He is mostly self-taught and has exhibited in many art shows since 2010.

This is Erik’s third group show at URBAN GALLERY -he also had a Solo Exhibition at URBAN GALLERY in December 2014.

OSVALDO NAPOLI

Born in Montevideo Uruguay migrated to Toronto in 1975 and resides in Richmond Hill Ontario. Attended OCAD in the 80’s and took a course at Central Technical School art department. Also mentored by friend Canadian artist Sorel Etrog who was an inspiration for three decades.

I am mainly self-taught and I express myself through sculpture and painting, and a combination of both disciplines. I am taken by the three-dimensional world and the beauty of the human form and social condition.

The inspiration behind all of my work is people in general and the intricacies of social behaviour. I am fascinated by the complexity of the human mind and the mystery’s about how we all perceive reality. I'm particularly interested in the superficialities that can be presented and at the same time considering what else might be there beyond appearances. I use art as a platform to communicate with the world and examine the humanity within us.

LIBBY SIMS

A mostly self taught abstract artist since 2001, Jayne Libby Sims studied intensely with world renowned abstract expressionist Frank Arnold (Fresno, CA and Los Cabos, Mx) during 2010 and 2011, gaining new insights into the world of abstract expressionism. The result of this, her birds starting with “Frank Bird” (sold July 2011) and also her unconventional faces, led her followers down a new and exciting path, culminating in 2017/18 with her fresh, free flowing abstract flowers.

In 2018 I continue to learn, enjoy, and most of all, be committed to my work. I start each painting by making a mess......then I fix it**. By the time I’ve made the mess, I’m warmed up, my “go to” piece of music, Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini is on repeat and I’m painting from deep within. This did not come easy, but I’m there now. Thank you Frank. My work over the years has been shown in a number of places, including......

Resident artist currently at Arta Gallery including a solo show in 2013 “ART DOESN’T HAVE TO MATCH THE COUCH”. Also artist of the month in 2013.

2002-2005. Arts on King

2005.......

John Steinberg and Associates
The Square Foot Art Show
Riverdale Art Walk
Hangman Gallery (and a solo show, “WHERE THE DESERT MEETS EL MAR” 2006)
Queen West Art Crawl
Art Square Gallery
O Gallery, San Jose del Cabo Mexico

2018 Urban Gallery, Toronto

I have been commissioned in Mexico and Toronto, with a number of avid collectors. In Mexico my work was featured in the Frank Arnold Gallery for Art Walk night in 2010 and in Toronto was featured in the window of Alexander Designs on King Street, and also in the Style at Home magazine (March 2013, page 88)

**While studying in Mexico, I thought one piece was probably completed. Turning to Frank I said “finished?”

.......He rose from his chair and taking a large brush dipped in white paint, put a cross through the painting and said “now, fix it”. The biggest lesson ......a painting can always be fixed and you must know HOW TO DO IT.

Media

SNAP'D: WILD IN THE CITY: Group show

FordhamPR: GO WILD! Toronto’s Urban Gallery unveils July’s group show “Wild in the City”