The Squamish Public Library’s Foyer Gallery is showcasing a stunning collection of ceramic and abstract paintings by Lesley Maddox and Rebecca Santry, a talented mother-daughter duo. The “Coastal Form and Fabric” exhibit is open for public viewing until May 13.
The artists have composed an impressive body of work exploring new materials, techniques, and styles. Despite their different approaches, both artists draw inspiration from the natural world of the Pacific Northwest. In particular, they are fascinated by the relationship between the landscape and the elements that shape the coastline through the seasons and over time, Toby Jaxon, the Foyer Gallery’s curator said.
The limited colour palette used in the paintings is inspired by the muted colours of the temperate rainforest. The artists also employ layers of mark-making to achieve depth and complexity in their work.
Lesley Maddox, who has been a practicing artist for twenty years with formal training in ceramics, explains her creative process: “My ‘Blackened’ ceramics series is smoked-fired in a burn barrel using seaweed that I gather from the beach where I live on Salt Spring Island. As the ceramic process is not immediate, I plan to work on a body of ceramic work over several weeks: building the form, drying, burnishing, decorating the surface, drying, firing (sometimes twice), and working on several pieces.”
Rebecca Santry, who studied art at Loughborough University in the UK, is interested in composition and visual communication. “My work is created by designing new layouts in my sketchbook, shifting and placing various layers across a blank canvas and combining them with elements inspired by my time in nature,” she explains.
The Foyer Gallery is also seeking volunteers to assist with art installations. The gallery installs new shows six times per year, and each installation takes 2-3 hours to set up. Contact Toby Jaxon at foyergallerysquamish@gmail.com if you are interested.
