Keith F. Broad
Special to The Chief
Driven to Abstraction is Linda Wagner's show of semi-abstract oil paintings that hints at her eclectic artistic journey - a journey that began when she was 14 years of age, with mononucleosis, a watercolour set and a Vincent Van Gogh calendar. Linda's journey through life has been arduous at times, rewarding at others, but always she has searched for creative ways to express herself through her art.
"I've know for years that I have a series of large abstract paintings inside me," she said.
Linda's new series evolved out of her fascination with the patchwork-quilted appearance of England's countryside, Stonehenge, chalk horses and her background as an accomplished quilter.
"People who are already familiar with my work will see a distinct change in direction with this show. I'm drifting into an abstract edge, and I didn't think I ever would."
Born on Vancouver Island, Linda has traveled the world learning her craft during painting tours and seminars in Mexico, Greece, China, Italy, Israel, Turkey, Cypress and England.
"I consider myself a serious artist because I work constantly at my craft and I'm always searching for things that push me beyond what I'm doing now."
Linda and her husband moved to Squamish two years ago and she said she has become much more focused on her art since moving here.
"I have almost the perfect life," she reflected while staring out of her living room picture window at the spectacular view of Howe Sound. "When people look at my paintings, I hope they are taken to a familiar place. I hope they experience a familiar feeling. I hope one day when people walk into an art gallery and see one of my paintings, they will say, 'Oh look, there's a Linda Wagner!'"
"I was mesmerized by the tools," he sighed. "The adzes and knives, whose blades are curved, have handles made from tree branches!"
Robert Barratt's life as a lawyer and then a sessional instructor in Shakespearean Studies at Simon Fraser University, fell by the wayside when his wife ran into their West Vancouver home one March day in 1998 and exclaimed, "Norman Tait and Lucinda Turner are offering carving lessons!"
"If you revere the art form and if you follow the conventions of the art form faithfully, I will teach you," said Nisga'a Master Carver, Norman Tait to his non-native pupil, Robert Barratt.
Robert's traditional masks, rattles and bowls, carved of alder in the Nisga'a and Tlingit styles, were inspired by examples of authentic Native carvings he found in museums, books, and as taught to him by Master Carvers Norman Tait, Lucinda Turner, Israel Shotridge and Chief Tony Hunt.
"I have been adopted by the native people and was given the Tlingit name Kaa yakgwaheiyagh K'aa a yax Kach'aak'u, which means Spirit Carver. I endeavor to handle traditional pieces with the reverent adherence to the principles passed on to me by my teachers, while evolving a style of my own," Robert said.
Born in the Philippines to a British father and a Canadian mother of Scottish/Dutch decent, he now lives on Bowen Island and " away from the city!" he said.
View Linda Wagner and Robert Barratt's art at the Squamish Public Library Foyer Gallery March 7 to April 3.
