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Art Gallery exhibit

The newest exhibit at the Saint Mary's Art Gallery is a study of derelict buildings resulting from both rapid urban development and natural disasters.

Titled Self- Similar, the exhibit features acrylic on canvas paintings inspired by East Coast artist Ehryn Torrell’s recent visits to Beijing, Shanghai, and  Sichuan province. They show the devastation of destruction, superimposed on the day-to-day life that has to continue.

While her work in the show is central to her trips to China, the work is similar to some that she has done in other places. When studying for a Masters of Fine Arts here in Halifax, Torrell’s work was representational but included the invented techniques featured in Self-Similar. 

 “She’s an emerging artist from the area; and an important artist,” says Gallery Curator Robin Metcalfe.

Torrell has won many awards. They include the Patrick Hamilton Studio Bursary, multiple grants from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council, and the Joseph Plaskett Foundation Award for painters.

“The pieces have topical subject matter. They’re older structures being torn down by different factors, and new ones built,” says Metcalfe. “A lot of young artists are working this way – being representative in their art, but very inventive as well.”

The show runs until October 7. The official opening is September 14^th at 8 p.m. Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend.