Exhibit a response to media overload

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This article was published 11/09/2017 (3129 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In a world where we’re inundated by a barrage of sensory stimulus, a visual artist has created a bold exhibit in response to the information overload.

Mixed media artist Lori Zébière is showcasing her exhibit Saturation at the Wayne Arthur Gallery (186 Provencher Blvd.) until Sept. 29. The collection includes 26 brightly coloured acrylic paintings plus some digital pieces with embroidery mixed in.

“It’s a play on saturation in photography and print where you saturate it by using really bold, vibrant colour. But I’m also playing with concepts of saturation in the media in general,” explained Zébière, who works out of her Garson-area home studio called Boreal Chorus.

“I’m playing with retro historic ideals juxtaposed against contemporary life and all of the media and social media attention. There’s always so much coming at you with this barrage of information, so my paintings and my digital works are trying to work through some of that.”

The paintings allow the viewers to ponder previous eras while looking ahead to what’s coming next.

“This body of work also has a very rural feel. I want people to look at the past and then contemplate how we can move into the future,” she said.

“A component of the digital work is called Sknowflakes. The abstract works are meant to be snowflakes but they’re also carrying a message. They look at climate change, on mankind and our actions. They look at how we accumulate our effects on things, whether it be farm animals, farming or how we use the land.”

Zébière, who has always felt drawn to artistic endeavours, began to actively develop her talents about a dozen years ago. She works with a mentor, takes lessons, pursues art history classes at the University of Manitoba and paints with a group.

For her, the artistic process provides a sense of solace amid the chaos of everyday life.

“It’s peaceful. It’s almost meditative, so it brings you away from that loud information overload and it gives you a place to focus,” she said.

“So when I’m doing my artwork, it’s more a place to ponder and think and contemplate life. I mainly do painting and drawing and lots of photography too.”

During the final day of the show on Sept. 29, Zébière will give an artist talk in the gallery from 1 to 3 p.m. as a Culture Days event.

“There will be a discussion of the theme behind the work and what comes out of it. A lot of my work aims to evoke conversation, to bring people into a place where they can discuss topics,” she said. “I will also get into a discussion of technique and handling of media.”

Wayne Arthur Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.waynearthurgallery.com