'Patterns' at Uptown Gallery Waterloo

January 17 to March 12, 2023

A sneak peek of this exhibition is available online at Uptown Gallery

Come see our new show in person at the Gallery in Waterloo Town Square

  • ‘Gaze’

    17x22

  • ‘Take Only What You Need’ inspired by indigenous artist Christi Belcourt, focusing on our relationships to the world and each other

    7x17 photography on canvas

  • ‘Enough for All’ - companion piece to ‘Take Only What You Need’

    My hope for a fuller embrace that “we are all nature” and the interconnectedness of all

    10x17 photography on canvas

Time for reflection and be thankful

The end of the year prompts me to reflect. And as I review files I had captured but perhaps not had the time to process and refine, some jump out because they are worth a second look. I know that at the time they were taken, my focus might have been scattered or I was specifically focused on a project or commission, and only now, when I intentionally look with an open mind, do I “see” what treasures they are. I am reminded of the thrill of seeing wonders I often take for granted, the phenomenal in the ordinary. Also, I am much more conscious of the interconnections among all things living, and our interdependence on each other, a core theme of my art. As I share the joy of being alive and to appreciate deeply so much that eludes us—at first glance—I am grateful, “hour by hour”*!

*Richard Rohr, Breathing Underwater

‘Interconnected’

Love Inspired

‘Wedding Tree’ arbutus menziesii, Bodega Ridge, Galiano Island, BC Canada

In August we attended the wedding of our granddaughter on Galiano Island, one of the Gulf Islands, British Columbia on the west coast of Canada. The setting was as beautiful as the weather. I was struck by one of the native trees, arbutus menziesii (known as madrone or madrona in US), a broad leaf evergreen with clusters of creamy white flowers in spring, red fruit in the fall and striking peeling reddish orange bark year round. It provides food for wildlife and is host to numerous insects and birds. With deep roots it thrives in drought, and firmly secures earth on steep slopes. The tree can grow over 30 meters tall and live hundreds of years. Sadly, recently urban development has contributed greatly to its decline in its native habitat. In honour of Paige and Jeff’s celebration of love, and as a tribute to one of our endangered natural treasures, I have created ‘Wedding Tree’ (limited edition of 10).

Natural Beauty of Autumn

‘Liminal’ - Chiba (Japanese maple) harbinger of winter in our front garden, Kitchener, ON Canada

Autumn or Fall conjures up for me mixed feelings. Fall is a happy time for me celebrating thanksgiving; many, many birthdays in our extended family; gorgeous beauty in nature; time to put the garden to sleep… I even tolerate Halloween! However, I also feel the loss of the warmth of summer, almost always wondering if I made the most of the short season; coming to terms that I am one year older, and still getting used to the idea of being an “elder”; preparing myself for hibernation till next spring… From the perspective of an art photographer, the season is full of promise, capturing that ‘perfect’ fall scene, discovering the hidden late blooming gems of the garden like tricyrtis, fall crocuses, catkins on the locust and red berries on the aronias, and being blown away by the brilliant burgundy, burnt orange and popping golds of the native shrubs and trees that surround our home. A few personal and family happenings sidetracked me this fall, however I am grateful for life and all the parts of creation that sustain our lives, especially the nurture and love of family. This autumn I have had a much more profound experience of liminality than I can remember, amplifying the realization of transitions and being neither here nor there, in between summer/winter, young/old, wellness/sickness, even life/death. I have renewed my appreciation for who we are and what we have, here and now.

Pioneer Tower, Doon village, Kitchener, ON Canada

‘Golden Sunset’ near Paris ON Canada (available at Uptown Gallery Waterloo until January 2023)

‘Harvest Traditions’, Mennonite families harveting stooks Hawkesville ON Canada

Benjamin Road, Waterloo ON Canada

Overlooking Hidden Valley, home to endangered species and precious wet lands and woods, Kitchener ON Canada (available now until Jan 2023)

Focus on BIPOC artists

Kindred Spirit Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement, Grebel Gallery

now till December 16, 2022

Peony

Symbol of the transforming power of love, courage and kindness in Chinese culture and art

Artist Statement by Michael ManChoi Chow

I find inspiration in the natural world, especially our gardens at home, Edenwilde, in historic Olde Berlin Town, Kitchener, ON. In the past 3 years when there’s been so much uncertainty, fear and anxiety, loss and change, in our world and my world, I found solace in being “grounded”; literally, connected to the earth, getting dirty, becoming one… Whenever I could, I played in dirt, till the very last day before the snow covered us. Change is difficult but possible with clarity and resolve. In Chinese folklore and art as early as the 6th century of the Common Era, the peony is symbol of the transforming power of love, courage and kindness.