The Cre8ery gallery is exhibiting selected word by Anja Studer, a Swiss artist living in Winnipeg. The opening reception will take place on May 10 from 7-11pm, show runs daily until May 22. In her artwork Anja continues to explore the question of existence and the different aspects we each have to our personalities. They can be the result of the roles we play in our personal lives and in our careers or just be the fundamental traits we were born with. Over time, we end up becoming complex human beings with many layers just like a nesting doll. We put on masks and hide behind them for protection, disguise, performance or entertainment. By realizing that we are all the same, complex beings wearing different masks, we can learn to feel empathy for each other. Is the goal to chip away the different layers to truly see somebody or is it those different layers and imperfections that make us into who we are – complex and beautiful?
This new series of work consists of mixed media paintings, clay sculptures and wooden nesting dolls.
The encaustic paintings are portraits exploring the different layers of each person through abstract landscape paintings or photography combined with illustrations and graphic patterns.
The clay masks show the imperfections and damage life causes. Instead of hiding those imperfections we need to embrace them and realize that all experiences in life, good or bad, make us into who we are. This philosophy is underlined through the exploration of Kintsugi art, a centuries old Japanese art where broken pottery is repaired with 18k gold. By emphasizing fractures and breaks we embrace and highlight our imperfections, realizing that we are complex and beautiful, just the way we are.
Cost: Free –