The Crafts Association of BC (CABC) presents a showcase of unique works at the premier of One of a Kind Vancouver, November 20-23, 2008. One of a Kind Vancouver is a new fine craft show that brings innovative artists, craftspeople, and designers together to share and sell their unique creations. The sixteen artists are CABC members and supporters representing all media, who make one-of-a-kind fine craft pieces that can be seen in galleries and museums across the country: Kate Barber, Joan Carrigan, Barbara Cohen, Erin Dolman, Eleanor Hannan, Peter Kiss, Peter Pierobon, Kaija Rautiainen, Keith Rice-Jones, Mark Roth, Lisa Samphire, Tanis Saxby, Peter Shaughnessy, Kinichi Shigeno, Angelika Werth and Sharmini Wirakasara Artists will be in attendance throughout the show. This is a mutually beneficial partnership and extends our goal of programming exhibition quality work at major craft shows. The exhibit will be complemented by artists’ demonstrations and a wearable art fashion show on Sat, November 22.
This event takes place at BC Place Stadium and we will be located at centre isle by the stage. Hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am-9pm and Sunday 10am-5pm. For further information see www.cabc.net and www.oneofakindvancouver.com.
About the Artists:
KATE BARBER
Kate discovered her love for weaving in1993 when she left her 15-year business career in New York City to stay home with her two children. Although primarily self-taught, she has been fortunate to study with some remarkable teachers, most notably Kay Sekimachi, Liz Williamson and Catherine Ellis.
Only recently has Kate begun to really focus on her weaving. Almost three years ago she joined the Silk Weaving Studio on Vancouver’s Granville Island. "Since then I have become more productive in my weaving and have concentrated on creating textured shawls and scarves using fine silk and merino wool, and the process of differential shrinkage." Kate is now moving towards using natural dyes almost exclusively.
JOAN CARRIGAN
Joan believes baskets are containers in which the threads of human history and the natural world intertwine. She was first drawn to the beauty and significance of basketry during travels in the South Pacific. The use of natural materials in basketry has always appealed to Joan and resonates with her love of nature. She is drawn to the intrinsic beauty of barks, roots and sedge. Through the process of respectfully gathering, preparing and incorporating these materials, she finds a deepened respect and appreciation for the long tradition of basket making found in all cultures.
Joan lives on Salt Spring Island where she teaches, and is a founding member of the Salt Spring Island Basketry Guild.
BARBARA COHEN
Barbara’s affinity for stones and other found objects account for their abundance in her studio. They inspire her jewelry, figures, sculptures and collages, and express her love of combining and juxtaposing elements in three-dimensional space. Confronting the technical challenge that each piece presents requires ingenuity. Although sometimes frustrated when answers are elusive, it is a part of her work Barbara enjoys and looks forward to solving.
ERIN DOLMAN
Erin’s work encompasses a broad range of materials and techniques; everything from traditional gold wedding bands to finely crafted sterling silver chainmail, to hand-raised copper bowls. Erin finds an intrinsic value in whatever material she happens to be working with: silver, gold, rusted bits of iron, precious stones or beach rocks. All have potential for greatness.
Erin's current work focuses on the casting and fabrication of both precious and non-ferrous metals, with an occasional foray into glass, wood and bone. Japanese art, cycles of death and regeneration and natural images combine to create elegant jewellery and precious objects that may challenge the viewer's notions of conventional beauty.
ELEANOR HANNAN
Eleanor has embroidered all of her life and comes from a long line of seamstresses and quilt makers. She combines traditional stitchery with her formal visual art and colour training. Eleanor works with free expressive appliqué techniques with attention to space, shape and colour.
PETER KISS
Encouraged by talented and creative parents, Peter was exposed to a variety of art forms at an early age. After experimenting with a variety of materials he found wood allowed him to best express his ideas. Peter worked first as a marine biologist and then an architect before becoming a full time artist in 1990. In July 2001, Peter opened his own gallery on Granville Island and has since been very busy creating new work. Peter’s work is also exhibited at the Croft Gallery, Calgary, Alberta, as well as the Lounge Collection in Tofino, B.C. In addition, Peter is often invited to participate in a variety of community and cultural exhibitions.
PETER PIEROBON
Peter’s inspirations have come from the world of fine art and in particular from indigenous cultures around the world. He seeks to establish a fresh relationship between the primitive and the sophisticated, while maintaining respect for the craft tradition. Primarily made of wood, his furniture seeks to satisfy functional needs while challenging precedents of design and concept. Peter grew up in North Vancouver and enjoyed a creative childhood in the rainforest of the North Shore. Educated in Rochester, New York, Peter has taught and exhibited internationally for over 30 years.
KAIJA RAUTIAINEN
Kaija has taken her traditional tapestry weaving to the next level, using copper wire, cotton and linen in a computer facilitated jacquard handloom. The marriage of the image and the structure challenges her creativity. With a background in tapestry, her works continue to have a strong feel of the hand and texture, making them both exciting and inspiring. Nature has been a source of ideas for Kaija. Sailing on the West Coast and skiing in the mountains keeps her in touch with the natural elements. Born in Finland, Kaija began her studies there before coming to British Columbia. Many of her pieces have been displayed in Finland and around the Pacific Northwest.
KEITH RICE-JONES
As part of his training as a cabinet-maker, Keith began with training that ranged from the Arts and Crafts tradition to the Bauhaus. He found clay in the 70s and took further art training in both England and the USA. Keith pursued parallel careers as an art teacher and artist before taking early retirement from teaching to work full-time in the studio. He maintains a connection with education through giving workshops and as a sessional instructor at SFU.
Keith’s work remains rooted in the vessel tradition but has moved from earlier ritualistic containers to large, purely geometrical and organic sculptural statements. He has worked and exhibited in Japan and more recently in Australia. His work is represented in national and international collections.
MARK ROTH
Mark’s unique combination of creative and practical experience, as percussionist, carpenter, and journeyman cook, proved invaluable when he began exploring glass as an artistic medium. His restaurant kitchen experiences of balancing high heat with critical timing made him feel comfortable on the hot shop floor and his drummer-trained dexterity and rhythm continue to help him with the coordination needed for working hot glass.
Mark constantly challenges his knowledge and ability to create original and interesting glass art. In 2005 he was recognized with the BC Achievement award for emerging artist in the field of design. Mark is now working on a new series that expresses the patterns of wind, glacial and water erosion found in natural landscapes on stone-shaped glass forms.
LISA SAMPHIRE
Lisa began her glass blowing career in 1985. Since then she has produced a diverse body of work which is included in both private and public collections. Her ability to bring a new vitality and approaches to her medium year after year is due in part to her continuing study and experience. She has at The Pilchuk School and The Corning Glass Museum. She has taught at Red Deer College, spoken at several engagements, and been featured in various publications and exhibitions. In 2008 Lisa had 4 pieces acquired by the Federal Government of Canada for its visual arts collection. She has also been recognized for her glasswork through various awards, scholarships, teaching appointments and commissions.
TANIS SAXBY
Tanis’ sculptural forms often reflect tranquility and stillness in motion, a concept that is sublime and a paradox. She is drawn to introduce the concepts of calm simplicity and sensuality in response to our often complex, distant, time-driven culture. Contrast also plays an important role for her as she explores the interplay of light and shadows, drama and tranquility, stillness and motion. The interior space is as exciting and as carefully considered as the exterior.
In 2005, Tanis was awarded a two-month residency in ceramics in Vallauris, France through a Canada-wide selection. She is a graduate of the Kootenay School of the Arts in Nelson, British Columbia
PETER SHAUGHNESSY
Peter’s work takes boxes beyond the ordinary. His design principles emphasize form, colour and meaning. The use of wood as a medium is secondary to the purpose, which is to represent emotions in an entertaining and engaging way. Peter prefers light colored, fine-grained woods such as pine and basswood, and his intention is not to hide, but rather to de-emphasize the wood and to draw attention to form and meaning. Colour sets the tone and provides visual interest. Each piece is created with a box as the central component. When he applies appendages, the piece becomes anthropomorphic. Color alternates with natural wood to provide contrast with the goal of laughter, amusement and the interest of the viewer.
KINICHI SHIGENO
Kinichi was born in 1953 in Nagano, Japan. In 1981 he immigrated to Canada and in 1984 set up his studio in Richmond. His distinctive and signature ceramic style is characterized by his use of cobalt on porcelain or white stoneware. Kinichi’s works have been included in numerous collections in North America and abroad including Government House in Victoria, The Taipei Fine Arts Museum, and the Maxwell House Museum in Toronto. He is the recipient of many of awards including recognition in2008 as one of the outstanding artists in BC for which he was awarded the Creative Achievement Award for his ceramics.
ANGELIKA WERTH
Angelika has worked in fashion, fibre and wearable art. She started her practice with a three year dress-making apprenticeship. She worked for Yves Saint Laurent in Paris, France and received a degree as master dress-maker-designer. She immigrated to Australia, then to Canada. Most of Angelika’s current work is hand-felted and constructed, and can be found in permanent public collections in the BC Provincial Collection, the Community Hospital Collection in Monterey, California, the Cambridge Art Gallery in Cambridge, Ontario and Shuzenji City Hall in Japan.
Angelika Werth is an instructor in the Fibre Department at the Kootenay School of the Arts in Nelson, BC. She also teaches workshops across B. C. related to fashion, furniture and wearable art.
SHARMINI WIRAKASARA
Sharmini was born and raised in Sri Lanka. After finishing high school, she completed an accounting and business degree. She worked as an accountant for eight years. In 1988 she moved to Vancouver and took various courses and workshops including silk painting, jewellery making, fashion illustration, painting, paper making, stained glass, and bead embroidery. She completed a two year textile arts program at Capilano College. Following a workshop in the off-loom technique of peyote bead weaving, she went on to teach herself other bead weaving techniques and has since been completely addicted to beading. Sharmini exhibits, sells and publishes her work both nationally and internationally.
Demonstrations & Wearable Art Fashion Show on Saturday, Nov. 22
The public is invited to an up close and personal experience with artists as they demonstrate the making of fine craft on Nov. 22 from 1:00 – 6:00pm :
Fibre : Louise Jackson, Amy Robertson,
Jewelry : Kathy Krismanson, Elizabeth de Balasi, Amanda Maxwell, Negar Khatami, Sue Fitzwilson, Brian den Hertog and Linda Reed
Discover beauty, art and fashion this season in “The Art of Fashion” show at 11:00am. Wearables include works by Bonnie Adie, Anne Marie Andrishak, Rosalind Aylmer, Rene Corder Evans & Anne deVerteuil, Dorothy Cross, Anni Hunt, Brigitte Rice, Diana Sanderson, Yvonne Wakabayashi and Angelika Werth
The Crafts Association of BC is a registered, non-profit charitable arts service organization providing leadership in the craft community by building and promoting the development, appreciation, and viability of Canadian Fine Craft. For more information, visit our website at www.cabc.net
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