Nov 2006–Jan 2007 - Preview

Frank Boyden: The EmpathiesLAURA RUSSO GALLERY, PORTLAND OR – Nov 2-Dec 2 Oregon artist Frank Boyden first earneda national reputation as a ceramicist and sculptor in the 1970s and early 80s. He returned toprintmaking in 1984. This past summer, his prints and books were the focus of a retrospective atthe Hallie Ford Museum in Salem, Oregon, custodian of the largest permanent collection ofBoyden’s printworks. His work is also included in prominentcollections at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC,the Pushkin Museum in Moscow, and both the Portland andTacoma Art Museums.Boyden’s prints are frequently characterized by darkness.Driven by his own anger at political and religious paradigms,as well as by his disgust with the corruption of war, his latestseries, The Empathies, concentrates on unmasked portraits ofhumanity. The compelling suite of 96 drypoints, only 2 x 3inches each, demonstrate an acute observation of variegatedpsychological personas. The tiny but haunting studies reachdeep into the human psyche to depict suffering, anguish,desperation and sadness. They convey the dysphoric side ofhumanity with a presence reminiscent of GermanExpressionism or Goya’s Los Caprichos.Boyden wrote, “I proceeded to draw a plethora of beingsthat were horrendous and vile. All were characters fromcreation's ineptitudes, vagaries, vengeances, and sad jokes.Some portrayals are frail and desolate, questioning mortality,while others palliate the struggle of humankind.” The printsare documented in an 80-page catalogue accompanying theexhibition. Allyn Cantorpreviewwww.laurarusso.comFrank Boyden, The Empathies #85 (2005),drypoint [Laura Russo Gallery, Portland OR,Nov 2-Dec 2]Lim, “The Art of Giving”, new worksby gallery artists; Jan 3rd Annual kidsexhibition. Work by students of localartist Michelle Miller.★ Open Space510 Fort St ✆(250)383-8833www.openspace.camon-sat 12-5pm Nov 4 9pm FrancoisHoule, Joelle Leandre, RaymondStrid, “New Music”, tickets $8-10; Thru Nov 14 Isabelle Hayeur,Jennifer Long, “Vulnerable Light”,contemporary photographs play withtruth and fiction; Nov 24-Jan 20, 2007Dowsing for Failure, visual art curatedby Ted Hiebert and Doug Jarvis.Royal BC Museum675 Belleville St✆(250)356-7226 888-447-7977www.royalbcmuseum.bc.cadaily 9am-5pm Jun-Sep: open late onfri, sat Admission: $14 adults, $9.50seniors, students and youth aged 6-18,children 5 and younger are free, familytickets (2 adults and 2 children) $37.50.62 PREVIEWThru Jan 7, 2007 Love is in the Air withFatal Attraction, interactive exhibitionreveals the sometimes sensual, oftenflashy and occasionally dangerouscourtship rituals of the animal kingdom– this made-in-Europe touring exhibtionis complemented by the Museum’scompanion presentation highlightingBC species; Ongoing FIRST PEOPLESGALLERY Haida Argillite Carving, also, atraditional “Big House”, totem polesand masks; Living Land, Living Sea,permanent display on climate change;The Story of Kwaday Dan Ts’inchi, ahunter trapped in glacial ice in northernBC 550 years ago.Starfish Glassworks aCanadian Glass Galleryand Studio630 Yates St ✆(250)388-7827www.starfishglass.bc.camon-sat 10am-6pm sun 12-6pm Sept-May: closed tues and holidaysGlassblowingdemonstrations: wed-sun 12-6pm Representing over 50 top Canadianglass artists including DarrenPetersen, Morna Tudor, Jay Macdonell,Gary Bolt, Susan Rankin, JimNorton, Lisa Samphire, Chris Windsor,Jo Ludwig, Peggy Brackett,Jonathan Mossop, Mark Roth, JeremyDane Morris, Fraser McLaren,Lisa Cerny and others; Nov 22-Dec 31Peggy Brackett, “Full Spectrum”,dichroic glass jewellery explores patternand sea themes and includes amini series inspired by the PacificWhite Sided dolphin.West End Gallery1203 Broad St ✆(250)388-0009877-388-0009www.westendgalleryltd.comNov-Dec: mon-fri 10am-5:30pm sat10am-5pm sun 11am-4pm Nov 4-24Allen Sapp, “A Collection of NewPaintings”, vivid illustrations, personalmemories and Cree culture past andpresent; Nov 30 5-8pm VictoriaGallery Walk, fine art, live music andappetizers. Visit the participating galleriesby horse drawn trolley; Dec 2-15Guy Roy, light, vibrant colours and★ OPEN LATE ON FIRST THURSDAYS