Posts

WILDLIFE Art Exhibition Project

Opening March 31, 2024: WILDLIFE Art Exhibition Project

Experience the untamed beauty of nature from the comfort of your screen with the WILDLIFE Spring Art Exhibition Project, hosted by the esteemed John B. Aird Gallery in Toronto, Canada. In a world where digital connections have become paramount, we invite you to embark on a visual journey that transcends boundaries and celebrates many Artists expressions of WILDLIFE.

WILDLIFE Art Exhibition Project

Since its inception in 1975, the John B. Aird Gallery has been a beacon of artistic expression, championing the work of Canadian artists and fostering a vibrant cultural community. Named in honor of Ontario’s 23rd Lieutenant Governor, the gallery stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity and innovation.

With the onset of the pandemic, the gallery has embraced the digital realm, bringing its exhibitions to a global audience. This spring, join us as we unveil the WILDLIFE project, curated by renowned Montreal gallerists André Laroche and Louis Joncas. Featuring contributions from 62 artists and showcasing 71 mesmerizing pieces, this exhibition promises to inspire and captivate.

WILDLIFE Art Exhibition Project

Proud to be selected for this unique project and virtual exhibition, I am thrilled to present my painting ‘Monarch of the Arctic Realms’, a homage to the majestic polar bear and its habitat. Selected as artwork of the year in 2023, this piece invites viewers into the serene yet powerful world of the Arctic wilderness.

WILDLIFE Art Exhibition Project

Monarch of The Arctic Realms – acrylic and gouache on raw canvas, 2023 Brandy Saturley

62 Artists: WILDLIFE Art Exhibition Project

Don’t miss your chance to experience the WILDLIFE exhibition, accessible online at the Aird Gallery website. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and join the conversation surrounding contemporary art and visual culture. Visit https://airdgallery.org to explore the exhibition and discover a world of creativity at your fingertips. Additionally, a publication featuring the showcased artwork will be available for perusal on the website at https://airdgallery.org/publications/. Join us as we celebrate the intersection of art and visual culture in this unforgettable showcase of talent and inspiration.

Vancouver Island’s Premier Art Exhibition

2023 Sooke Fine Arts Show – Vancouver Island’s Premier Art Exhibition

The Sooke Fine Arts Show holds a special place in my heart as it takes me back to my childhood in the beautiful Vancouver Island community. Known for its vibrant Indigenous cultures, wild west coast beaches, fisherman, and loggers, the show has grown from humble beginnings to become Vancouver Island’s premier art event of the summer season. Having attended this exhibition since I was 12 years old, I have witnessed its transformation into a captivating public art gallery, a commercial hub for art collectors, and a social gathering celebrating the arts. It has quickly become, Vancouver Island’s Premier Art Exhibition.

Sooke Potholes

A summer favourite – swimming at Sooke Potholes

A Rich History:
The Sooke Fine Arts Show has a rich history dating back to its inception in 1986 when the Sooke Region Museum showcased artworks from local artists in its upper gallery. Spurred by the buzz of Expo ’86, a committee of five local artists conceived the idea of a show to highlight the talents of the region. Thus, the inaugural FINE ARTS ’86 was born, laying the foundation for what has now become Vancouver Island’s longest-running juried fine art show.

Sooke Region Museum

Sooke Region Museum presents Fine Arts Unlimited, 2006

An Artistic Extravaganza:
Each summer, the Sooke Fine Arts Show provides a platform for the finest artists from Vancouver Island and BC’s coastal islands to showcase and sell their work. The show exhibits a diverse range of artworks, from paintings and sculptures to mixed media and photography, all reflecting the unique essence of the west coast. Visitors can expect to be captivated by engaging, enriching, and radically unique pieces that resonate with their souls.

Vancouver Island's Premier Art Exhibition

Embracing Indigenous Heritage:
The Sooke Fine Arts Show honors the Indigenous heritage of the land it stands on, situated on the territory of the T’Sou-ke First Nation. This celebration of art and culture brings together artists and art enthusiasts from far and wide, contributing to the region’s cultural diversity and creativity.

A Homecoming for Me:
For me, Sooke will forever be my original ‘hometown,’ where I spent the first couple decades of my life exploring the arts, hiking, and contributing to the community. Though my career has taken me far, I am deeply honored to participate in this prestigious exhibition and support the talented Canadian artists who showcase their remarkable creations at the show.

Vancouver Island's Premier Art Exhibition

Sooke Community Association – Brandy Saturley with her mother Judy, 1972

Join Us at the Show:
This year, my painting, ‘Swinging Into the Weekend,’ will be featured at the Sooke Fine Arts Show. I invite you to join me at this year’s event, which will run from July 29 to August 7, 2023. The show will take place at SEAPARC Leisure Complex, located at 2168 Phillips Road, Sooke, BC, V9Z 0Y3. Just 35 kilometers from Victoria, the charming harbor town of Sooke provides a perfect base for visitors to explore the untamed beauty of Vancouver Island’s west coast and the stunning Olympic mountain range.

Vancouver Island's Premier Art Show

Swinging Into The Weekend, on view at the 2023 Sooke Fine Arts Show, Brandy Saturley

The 2023 Sooke Fine Arts Show promises to be an extraordinary art extravaganza, showcasing the talents of exceptional Canadian artists amidst the breathtaking landscape of Vancouver Island. Whether you are an art collector, an admirer of creativity, or simply seeking an enriching experience, this premier art show is not to be missed. Join us in celebrating the arts, culture, and the captivating beauty of Vancouver Island’s west coast at the Sooke Fine Arts Show.

Photos from the 2023 Sooke Fine Arts Show

Symbolically Yours From Canada

Symbolically Yours From Canada – through the eyes of a Canadian Artist

Symbolically Yours From Canada

I began life on an island on the western-most point in Canada, like a puzzle piece that was never placed in the final map of Canada. As a consequence, my preoccupation became everything that existed in my country, but not my island home. What informed my work began with ‘popular culture’ and stereotype.

Over the years I became more interested in authentic experiences. I began to travel to gain a true understanding of my country, and in returning to my island home, a better understanding of the culture in which I was raised.

By boat, plane, train, cab, Uber, Jeep, canoe, and on foot; I explored my country of Canada. Along the way the voices of the people, places, sounds and smells were absorbed into my subconscious. Through conversation, photography, video and writing; I recorded my journey for future excavation.

The work I developed because of this journey began with an exhibition titled #ICONICCANUCK, a hashtag I created for use on Twitter to connect with people across the country. My persona became #ICONICCANUCK and I developed my own painting genre known as ‘Pop Canadianisms’ my own brand of ‘Canadian’ pop realism.

As my explorations into the Canadian consciousness deepened, my work began to focus on my thoughts about a balance with nature, other cultures, and women in Canadian Art. I began repeatedly painting myself into the landscapes of Canadian Art history, as if to say, “I’m here, I’m a female Canadian Artist, and I have something important to say.”

Featuring 51 paintings created over the past decade, creating an open dialogue of what it means to be Canadian. These paintings are informed by our iconography, our passion, our humour, our tolerance and kindness.

Paintings with red dots are SOLD. All paintings in the exhibition are original acrylic on canvas and ready to hang on your wall!

UPDATED March 2021: THIS EXHIBITION IS NOW CLOSED. DETAILS ABOUT ALL EXHIBITIONS HERE.

TO see all ARTWORKS from Brandy Saturley, please visit the online gallery.