Allyson Glenn – Catalyst

Paintings

August 7 – 30, 2015
Opening reception Friday August 7, 7-9:30pm

AllysonGlenn, The CaveAllyson Glenn is a figurative painter who specializes in portraiture and the human form. In the formal discipline of painting, her work is informed by impressionism, realism and abstract expressionism. She uses figurative narratives to examine social intimacy, emotion, isolation, and identity. Her research interests are in humanism and social psychology, and sociology.

In June 2012, Glenn discovered a substantial oil spill under her house. Her romantic aspirations to renovate, nest, and create memories within this first home were put aside to address the reality and complexity of being tethered to catastrophe. This event propelled her to develop the Catalyst series, which narrates moments of the artist’s journey with the contamination and remediation, while offering a platform to address the topic of oil and what it really means for those who live in proximity to sites that pose similar risks.

By offering insight into the details and the personal impact of the contamination of the artist’s home, this project not only acknowledges the artist’s personal journey but also raises awareness for those who seek to know more about environmental risks. This project may also offer insight for those who live in proximity to oil and gas development and transportation sites and who might question, “what would happen if…”

Graduated with an MFA from the University of Calgary in 2000, and a BFA from the University of Alberta in 1998, Glenn has received three Elizabeth Foundation Awards, grants from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, BC Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, and a President’s SSHRC from the University of Saskatchewan. Her work is part of both private and public collections including the University of Calgary and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. She has exhibited throughout Canada, United States, England, Czech Republic, India, and Switzerland. Allyson lives in Saskatoon, where she teaches as Assistant Professor for the Department of Art and Art History, University of Saskatchewan.

The Catalyst series will be exhibited in venues across Canada and the United States throughout 2015-2016.

 

Allyson Glenn, The Cave 2
Allyson Glenn, “The Cave (2)”, acrylic and oil on canvas, 2013
Allyson Glenn, Crimson Lake, Home
Allyson Glenn, “Crimson Lake, Home”, acrylic and oil on canvas, 2015

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