The Art of Helen and Heidi
Vancouver-based artists Helen Geddes and Heidi Sidhu Gigler will be sharing the exhibition space at Art Gallery Kimberley this month with a joint exhibition of their artworks. “The Goldbird Variations” - a play on Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” - is the title of Helen’s body of work on display in this joint exhibition. The artworks consist of Helen’s observations of a variety of birds each with their own personality translated into paint on a golden background. Colour, line, pattern and texture are used in a playful manner in Heidi’s body of work. Using a variety of materials and methods allows for the work and the process to be whimsical and take spontaneous directions.
“Seeing the small details in living things brings daily joy”, says Helen who describes herself as a painter, art educator, bread maker, gardener, and avid early morning walker. According to Helen, her work is a practise of observation. Helen says, “Each bird begets a personality as I look and wonder what it is saying or thinking. This personification will perhaps begin a thread of caring consideration to the plight of birds today. I feel it is important not to lose sight of what is in front of us, singing their hearts out”. Helen will be donating part of the proceeds of the sales of her artworks to the bird sanctuary in Burnaby.
When asked what the biggest challenge was in creating her body of work, Helen replies, “Finding a studio space that has the light I need to see all the lovely details of the birds I paint!”.
Art maker, art teacher, forager, avid walker, and explorer Heidi says making art takes her on an unknown journey; not knowing where she will end up, but it is always a trip worth taking. Heidi explains, “I work intuitively drawing elements from various aspects of my life experience and knowledge like: travel, art history, moments, memories, and nature to inform my art making approach. Directly or ambiguously there tends to be a nod to landscape and still life in all of
my work, creating a sense of time, place and space”. Heidi continues, “I aspire to have my work first and foremost be uplifting aesthetically and in subject matter: food for thought and eyes”.
Heidi has been fortunate to have been involved in many aspects of the arts: from teaching in secondary schools; illustrating cookbooks; being involved collaboratively in shows; workshops; events; as well as running and sitting on boards for independent art galleries. Heidi is always looking forward to new art adventures.
This joint art exhibition will be on display at Art Gallery Kimberley in Kimberley’s Platzl from Wednesday, September 6th through Saturday, September 30th. Opening hours starting September 1st are: Sunday & Wednesday 12 pm - 4 pm, Thursday & Friday 11 am - 6 pm, Saturday 11 am - 5 pm.
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