'Relationship & Emotion' at UTG

I am one of 3 Featured Artists in ‘Relationship & Emotion’ at Uptown. Striking art with plenty of variety and styles.

Artist Statement:

“ManChoi wants to explore the emotional and spiritual impact art (in particular his photography) makes on certain relationships—those between artists and their subject matter; between the viewer and the art object; and most importantly, between the artist and the artist-within-you in the viewer. In the exhibition “Relationship and Emotion” he has created landscape images that may evoke (even provoke) emotions such as surprise, desperation, loneliness/connectedness, melancholy, and serenity.”

I welcomed the opportunity to explore this challenging and profound theme, and started preparing months in advance. I finally chose 3 single pieces as well as a set of 3 (available separately as well) among many images I was drawn towards, all taken in late winter and early spring in 2022. I chose to print some on canvas (including metallic canvas) and one on traditional baryta photo paper; all are framed and ready to be installed in their new home.

In upcoming blogs I will comment on other pieces in this exhibition, let me begin with ‘Tree Line in 3 parts’.

‘Tree Line in 3 parts’ (a)

‘Tree Line in 3 parts’ (b)

‘Tree Line in 3 parts’ (c)

Driving through Waterloo County I pay attention to the natural environment that evokes feelings in me; I am getting better in trusting my intuition about whether a scene is worth stopping and capturing, after many a time when I regretted not listening to my heart. This particular stand of trees, a bush in the midst of a farmer’s field, on a cold late winter’s day at first sight seemed quite ordinary. Yet something stirred in me, and I stopped to look more carefully. Initially, I had a feeling of isolation and unbelonging, perhaps because of the vast, bleak fields of snow surrounding them, as well as the nakedness of their branches. Yet when I stopped and paid closer attention, as well as being more attuned with my soul, I connected with their spirit of solidarity and communal refuge that transcended their seeming vulnerability. My feelings turned warm and I felt consoled. To honour my spiritual encounter and to invite others to look more closely at what we often overlook and take for granted, I decided that the set of 3, rather than a single image, would better capture the fullness of my awakening.

Nature is full of surprises!

This spring has been unusual…or is it summer already? First week of June and we were still wearing sweaters in the evening and barely hitting 20 C in the afternoons, then in the second week, we are scorching with heat. It happens every year, our gardens transition from barren nothingness to lush paradise, yet somehow this year, perhaps because of the cooler days and lots of moisture, the rebirth to fullness in the natural world seems particularly spectacular to me. Now with the heat everything is going full tilt! The locust (twisty baby) was more perfumy and prolific with blossoms than most other years I can remember, right on cue following the dogwoods opening act. Prior to that, our red buds and witch hazels took centre stage before anything leafed out, except for the snow drops. And now peonies, thalictrums, roses, solomon seals, and soon goats beard…. Nature is full of surprises!

‘Firecracker’ (witch hazel) in full bloom

Busy bee on thalictrum (meadow rue)

Solo Exhibition at FAC Kitchener

I am deeply indebted to Kris and Annemarie from Framing & Art Centre, Kitchener, for hosting an(other) exhibition of my art, on now till the end of May. Framing & Art Centre Kitchener is in the heart of Belmont Village.

All art displayed is printed with archival materials and in limited editions. Custom print sizes are available. Hope you can come down soon!

'Day is Done'...all is well

The music of Peter, Paul and Mary (folk group from the last century) stirred something in me in my teens. One of their songs have stayed with me, and when I was thinking of a title for this piece, ‘Day is Done’ just popped into my head. This piece taken at sunset driving home on a late winter’s evening between Paris and Ayr, ON caught my eye and I took the picture out the window of the car while stopping on the shoulder. The soft fading light created a haunting stark silhouette that somehow also felt soothing and warm. The power lines in the mid ground echoed the lines of snow in the foreground framing the line of naked trees in the background. The barren frozen ground was beginning to thaw and the promise of regeneration and hope of new life has sprung!

“Tell me why you’re crying…I know you’re frightened like everyone…

And if you take my hand, all will be well when the day is done.”

Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul & Mary)

'Nature' (Uptown Gallery Waterloo) - Part 2

Here are other pieces available at Uptown Gallery Waterloo in our new show ‘Nature’, on now till May 15

‘Day is Done’, Limited edition of 5, 17”x25” framed

Waterloo county landscape while the land is slumbering, awaiting reawakening

‘Into the Woods’, Limited edition of 5, 12”x27”

Late winter sunset outside Ayr, Ontario, near Kitchener

'Nature' at Uptown Gallery Waterloo

Welcoming Spring with a beautiful new exhibition at Uptown Gallery Waterloo featuring 5 artists:

Assem Hamdi (colour pencils), Adrienne Zoe (photography), Teresa Walker (photography), Laurier Spieker (glass), Eekta Trienekens (pottery)

Spring is one of my favourites times of the year, watching the renewal of the natural world, and awakening new life in me. I love to capture some of the subtle and phenomenal signs of Spring. For example, the intricate blooms of hellebore in our garden, popping up as soon as the snow disappears, with its semi-evergreen leathery leaves, a bit tattered at first but within weeks replaced by fresh growth. Available now as part of ‘Nature’ at Uptown Gallery Waterloo.

‘Renewal of Promise’