Work in Progress by Sarah Saunders in Charlottetown
Starting today (May 31) until July 19,
the small town market gallery at the Charlottetown Farmers Market is hosting
“Work in Progress,” an exhibit that will evolve over the weeks it is showing,
by sculptural and textile artist, Sarah Saunders. The public is invited next Saturday (June 7) to an artist talk
and opening reception from 2:30-4pm.
Originally from Charlottetown, Saunders
now lives in Argyle Shore, PEI. Her work has been showcased across the country
and internationally. Her website’s
gallery showcases an intriguing array of installations and pieces—works that
are quite unlike any others you may have seen—including the ingeniously
designed body parts as part of her Corpus series.
Arts East caught up with Saunders to learn a little bit more about her creative
process and her exhibit which starts in Charlottetown today!
How would you describe your art forms and creative process?
SS: I use the language of
domestic objects and skills in sculptural work that incorporates ceramic and
textile techniques, found objects, imagery, and installation. Much of my work
is concerned with processes and themes of transformation and regeneration,
particularly in relationship to domestic objects and the traces we leave in our
surroundings.
When did you first get in touch with your creative
side?
SS: I always drew, painted
and made things as a child. My mother was very creative and encouraged it in
all of us.
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| By Sarah Saunders sarahsaunders.ca |
What have been some highlights throughout your
artistic career?
SS: Probably, my first solo
show at Confederation Centre. Having spent so much time there while growing up,
it's very satisfying to show there as an artist…Also being commissioned by the
Isle of Skye to create a piece for their collection commemorating the
emigration to PEI of the Selkirk settlers, some of whom were my own ancestors.
Tell us about some of the works to be displayed at the
small town market gallery.
SS: This exhibit will show
work in progress that explores the material salt and the natural processes
associated with it. The work involves combining processes like growth,
degradation etc. with found objects. For example, I work with the process of
crystallization by introducing various objects to a supersaturated salt
solution. Crystals form and continue to grow on these objects in a natural
process that hovers between an effect of covering and obliterating. The brittle
crystals form a skin or casing integrally connected to the object. The result
being a sort of hybrid; something caught visually between the natural and
cultivated worlds. The exhibit at the Market will showcase crystallization in
progress and allow viewers to observe this process over the duration of the
exhibit.
Work in Progress by
Sarah Saunders
May 31-July 19, 2014
this town is small gallery
(Charlottetown Farmers Market)
Opening reception/artist talk: 2:30-4pm, June 7, 2014
thistownissmall.com/small-town-market-galleryLearn more about Sarah Saunders: sarahsaunders.ca
