Core Samples

Rachel Gourley

Opening Reception: July 29, 6-8pm

Exhibition: July 29 to September 5, 2010

Craft Council of BC
1386 Cartwright St.
Granville Island, Vancouver BC
Canada, V6H 3R8

Rachel Gourley’s unique style is inspired by both the organic and inorganic elements of our natural world.  Since her first explorations with polymer, she has created sculptural work with an eye to the world around her. 

Rachel’s first explorations with core samples began when she developed back problems.  Awaiting treatment, she would study intently the diagrams of the human spine in the offices of doctors and physiotherapists.   Since then Rachel says, “I have thought a lot about the spinal column and how the body supports itself.”
 
"I was always interested in using Polymer on a large scale. In the past I was intrigued by the idea of building higher and unsupported hollow forms.  These pieces are all self supporting. The material becomes quite soft during the curing process so I have used the idea of vertebra to build height.

Initially titling the exhibition, Vertical Vertebrae, Rachel realized that the scope of her work had expanded beyond the human spinal column.  She seeks to investigate the structural core of organic forms and draws parallels between spines, trees and columns in their ability to support a larger mass.   "Core Samples" expresses that ongoing interest. 

Lou Lynn Inducted into Royal Canadian Academy Of Arts

At the recent 130th President’s Reception and Dinner in Quebec City, BC artist Lou Lynn was among 24 artists inducted into the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA).

Since its inception in 1880, the RCA has had many important achievements. Notable among them is the role it played in the founding of the National Gallery of Canada and the establishment of its core Canadian art collection. As the oldest and most respected honorific visual arts organization in Canada, the RCA recognizes excellence and lasting contribution to Canadian culture in twenty disciplines. Elected by their peers, new RCA members are recognized for their significant contribution through their work, to the visual arts in Canada.

Over the course of her career, Ms. Lynn has been the recipient of numerous grants and awards. Additionally, her work in glass and metal has been exhibited and collected by national and international public galleries and museums.

Celebrating 'Made in BC' on BC day

Come join some of the Craft Council of BC’s artists between 10am and 4pm for demonstrations on August 2nd.

Featured Artists:

Luci Lytle

Luci is an "accidental mosaic" artist. Recycled materials are her passion; especially corrugated packaging materials. While working with corrugated papers, she noticed the scraps. The ridges and cross-sections were so interesting that she began cutting and arranging these pieces into patterns and abstract designs. Luci fell in love with the textures and subtle earth colors hidden inside these ordinary corrugated boxes.

Luci loves that she can turn recycled materials into objects that are beautiful and sometimes useful.  In order to create her work, she searches among ordinary boxes, peeling back corners, to find those cartons whose brown paper surface conceals an interesting color or ridge pattern inside. At home, Luci peels away the surface layer and the peeled corrugated is then cut into tesserae. She also cuts thin cross sections through unpeeled corrugated, which she uses like grout to separate the tesserae.  Recently she has started experimenting with marble and other traditional mosaic materials.

Lina Cutnam

Born in Granby, Quebec, Lina’s passion for creation roots back from early childhood, when she was introduced to fashion modeling at the age of five.  Before long, she was modifying both her own and friend’s cloths, personalizing her vision for fashion, and helping to bring out individual expression in others.  Later, her drive to succeed enabled her to satisfy the demanding requests of professionals requiring custom designed fashion.  Soon after, her collections were sought out by high end fashion boutiques in Quebec; acquiring a unique reputation that emerged from her very special trademark: reversibility.  Everything is reversible! Two coats with accessories for two different occasions! Residing in Vancouver since 1987, the West Coast life style and environment has inspired Lina’s designs.  Her outstanding collection of one of a kind designs, all created with natural fabrics; reflect her passion for life and her love for finely woven fabrics and textures.

Joanne Waters

Joanne resides with her husband in West Vancouver, where they frequently offer daycare to four grandkids.  She creates and teaches in a variety of art mediums including kelp basketry, beading, knitting and felting, and doll making.  She recently retired from a job in Therapeutic Recreation with seniors.
 
Her work has been featured in many juried shows, from being featured in the YVR International Terminal to the Vancouver Trade and Convention Center, to solo shows such as her “Sea Sculptures” exhibit at the Blackberry Gallery in Port Moody.  This BC Day, she will be sharing the techniques of knitting and felting, as well as discussing how she works with kelp.