Different point of view

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This article was published 04/10/2019 (2209 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Have you ever wondered if what you see is the same as what someone else sees?

Everyone perceives art in a different way and a new exhibition opening at the Cre8ery gallery today as part of First Fridays in the Exchange is setting out to illustrate just how differently two artists see the world around them.

ViewPoints, created by fabric artist Cathie Ugrin and photographer Dmitry Kirshner, is a photo-fabric journey comprising seven segments: contemplation, creative voice, seasons, collaboration, texture, movement and inspiration.

It showcases works generated by each artist from their unique interpretation of the same landscape.

“I’m excited for audiences to see their collaboration,” says Cre8ery owner Jordan Miller.

“We’ve only had a few pieces at the gallery in the past 12 years created as collaborative work and that was always two or more artists working on the same piece.

“I’ve never seen an exhibit quite like this before.”

ViewPoints is created and curated by Ugrin and Kirshner, who have been close friends for many years.

The Winnipeggers have spent time together travelling across North America and Europe with their families and often share their work with each other, seeking feedback.

“The back-and-forth feedback loop allowed us to develop a sense of trust and respect towards each other’s creative instincts,” Ugrin says.

“Eventually both of us wanted to do a show and we thought, ‘why not combine to create a collaborative joint exhibit?’”

Together they came up with the idea of creating work inspired by the same landscape using their chosen mediums: fibre art for Ugrin and photography for Kirshner.

“We used our favourite Manitoba landscapes,” Ugrin says.

“We tried to make sure the completed works were very similar in size and maintained an overall theme but that each had a unique viewpoint.”

“For example,” she adds, “Dmitry’s photograph, called Golden Aspens, is all about perspective and focal point while my interpretation of the same landscape, Kaleidoscope of Season, focuses on movement and layering.”

Although they work in different mediums, the process of creating the exhibit was a valuable learning experience for both artists.

“I’m inspired by Dmitry’s ability to see something unique and magical in the ordinary,” Ugrin says.

“His attention to detail and ability to notice the graphical lines in nature is something that I’ve adopted in my own practice.”

“And I’ve been very interested in Cathie’s ability to interpret reality and to come up with creative abstract pieces that tell a story without anchoring the viewer into a specific object or scene,” Kirshner adds.

“I’ve been experimenting with this in my photography by creating truly imaginative images that make a viewer wonder if it is really a photograph at all.”

ViewPoints’ use of photographs that challenge the nature of the medium and the rare technique of fabric art offer a unique audience experience, with plenty of uncommon design facets on display.

“Line, colour, shape, balance and texture are just a few things to look for,” Ugrin says, “as well as the use of different sewing, piecing and finishing techniques. It’s worth exploring the stitching and seams. There are three-dimensional elements to the work and the material is used in many different ways.”

The multi-dimensional aspect of fabric has made it Ugrin’s medium of choice.

“I really love the connection people have with it. We are wrapped in it from the time we are born. We need it for warmth. There is a history bound to it.”

Through their inventive collaborative process and longtime friendship, Kirshner’s photographs and Ugrin’s fabric art in ViewPoints are similarly bound together.

“It’s really very interesting to see how the pieces compare structurally and emotionally,” Miller says.

“Having worked with both artists in the past, I know their individual work is strong and interesting. I can’t wait for audiences to see what their collaborative work has to offer.”

An informal pre-opening First Friday event will launch the exhibition today from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

A formal opening reception — open to the public — will be held Oct. 11 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

frances.koncan@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @franceskoncan