ArtBeat – Details, episodes & analysis

From a bunkhouse in Northwest Ontario to the ancient forests of Vancouver Island, Kyle Scheurmann's journey unfolds with an unyielding need to bear witness, to transform what he sees and feels into something concrete, something that communicates when language falls short. His paintings become living records, artifacts of a world teetering on the edge, yet still clinging to its fragile beauty.

As Kyle prepares for his upcoming solo exhibition at Bau-Xi Gallery in Vancouver, "Falling Stars Made of Ashes," he reflects on the emotional and spiritual undercurrents that have influenced this new collection. Unlike his previous show in Toronto, “Split My Full Moon Heart”, which concentrated on the immediate, palpable realities of climate collapse, this exhibition explores the ephemeral, the deeply personal, and the intensely remembered. The show opens on September 14th, 2024 and promises to be a powerful exploration of memory, fear, and the relentless passage of time.

Kyle is also gearing up for the third annual Art Auction for Old Growth, happening online from September 19th to 26th, 2024. This year, a new group of artists has come together to support the preservation of British Columbia's most endangered ancient forests. You can visit the auction's Givergy page, now live for registration and a full preview of the artwork. Since its inception in 2022, the auction has raised over $60,000, with all proceeds going to the Nature-Based Solutions Foundation (NBSF). NBSF is dedicated to protecting Canada’s most threatened ecosystems by supporting the creation of new protected areas, with a strong emphasis on Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas.

You can find more of Kyle’s work at Bau-Xi Gallery in Toronto, on his website and Instagram.

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In conversation with Vickie Vainionpää, an artist whose work navigates the spaces where the artificial meets the natural, we find ourselves exploring what it means to create in an era saturated with technology. Her journey began in the basement of her childhood home, a place where curiosity first took root, eventually leading her into the realm of generative art. Her work questions the very concept of ‘natural,’ revealing how the lines between human and machine often dissolve into ambiguity.

As the dialogue deepens, Vickie reflects on the philosophical underpinnings of her art. She speaks of a world where the artificial and the natural converge, where technology no longer stands apart but entwines our daily existence, creating a seamless reality. Her perspective carries an assurance, a belief that art, even in this digital age, continues to provoke, to mirror society, and to ask the questions that matter.

Vickie’s embrace of technology in her creative process reflects a vision that reaches beyond conventional boundaries, engaging with a world that is vast and interconnected. In her work, the distinctions blur, and the inquiry remains: what does it mean to create in a world where the tools of creation are shaped by both human hands and digital codes? Vickie offers no definitive answers, only the idea that art, at its core, is a reflection of the complex, evolving world we inhabit.

Vickie will be showing her Gaze Paintings with Olga Korper Gallery at The Armoury Show in New York this September 2024. You can find Vickie’s work in Berlin at Future Gallery, in Montreal at Patrick Mikhail Gallery, and in Italy at Nicola Pedana Gallery.

You can also view more of Vickie’s work on her Instagram and website. 

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Today, we trace the improbable journey of Vlad Kanic. From the Adriatic shores to the vibrant pulse of Toronto, Vlad's journey is marked by tenacity and ingenuity. In the enforced stillness of the pandemic, he found inspiration in the most unassuming of places – his refrigerator. Seaweed salad, a favourite staple, became the catalyst for his living sculptures that breathe, capture carbon, and produce oxygen.

Vlad’s apartment became a laboratory of innovation, where failure was not an endpoint but a mentor, guiding each step toward brilliance. Recognized with the Enbridge Sustainability Award, Vlad's vision defies the boundaries of traditional art. He is set to present this vision at the Collision conference in June 2024, North America's largest tech gathering, offering his work as a beacon of hope in the ongoing climate crisis.

Follow Vlad's ongoing journey on Instagram and explore his creations on his website. Find Vlad's work at Abbozzo Gallery in Toronto.

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In this episode of ArtBeat, we explore the multifaceted journey of Briony Douglas, an artist whose story is a tapestry of strength and creativity. From childhood memories of crafting stop-motion animations with her father to navigating disparate jobs—factories, marketing, and more—Briony’s route to professional artistry was anything but direct. An adverse work environment led her to resign and fully embrace her artistic ambitions, soon landing her photography on magazine covers.

A serendipitous request to build a giant elephant sculpture for a charity event revealed another dimension of her creativity, one that involved transforming discarded materials into striking art. This reclamation theme mirrors her personal experiences, infusing her work with deep emotional ties. The true reward lies in the public’s reaction, especially the joy of children, validating her countless hours of dedication. In these moments, Briony finds not just success, but a sense of connection and purpose.

Find Briony on Instagram and explore her portfolio on her website.

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Alex Garant's work is a symphony of surreal, overlapping visions layered over traditional portraits. In this episode, Alex contemplates the relentless chase for a style now unmistakably hers, and the weight of burnout that shadows the pursuit. She recounts the defining moment after her heart attack in 2012—a juncture that demanded a steadfast dedication to her art, charging her work with an intensity both stark and liberating.

Her reflections urge us to strip away the facades of identity, revealing the raw interplay between the feverish drive of creativity and the elusive quest for personal peace. Alex narrates the evolution of her "Queen of Double Eyes" style, where traditional portraiture collides with graphic elements, creating a hypnotic dance of perception and reality.

Discover more of Alex’s mind-bending creations and purchase her artworks on her website. Follow her journey on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

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Today, on the Season One finale of ArtBeat, we speak with the creative Charlotte Blake, a fibre artist whose sculptural weaving and innovative use of materials have captivated the art community. Charlotte takes us through her journey from studying drawing and painting at OCADU to discovering her love for tapestry and loom weaving.

Discover how a request to create a tapestry sparked her interest in fibre art, leading her to experiment with different techniques and materials. Charlotte reflects on how her background in drawing and painting influences her current work and how an eight-week course with a local artist honed her weaving skills.

Charlotte uncovers the surprising aspects of loom weaving, the sculptural opportunities it provides, and her evolving material experimentation. She highlights the significance of labour in her pieces, the worth of using modest materials, and the impact of her Scottish heritage on her choice of patterns and colours.

Find Charlotte's pieces at Abbozzo Gallery in Toronto and follow her on Instagram.

Tune in for this insightful conversation and explore the art that shapes our world.

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In our latest episode, Hayley Axelrad artfully dismantles the polished veneer of suburban life, where the familiar facades of perfection meet the perceptive brush of introspection. We explore how her passion for psychology influences her portrayal of human nature in art, transforming genteel scenes into rich examinations of internal landscapes.

Hayley shares her journey from academic art studies to embracing a colourful, expressive palette that challenges the quiet desolation often masked by social smiles. This episode probes how societal expectations shaped her artistic expression, navigating from realism to a style that captures the unspoken complexities of human interactions. Hayley discusses her creative process and how personal history influences her work, revealing the unseen beneath the polished exteriors.

For a closer look at Hayley's art, visit her website, follow her on Instagram, or explore her pieces at Tacit Collective.

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Join us for a compelling conversation with Stephanie Hanes, a ceramic artist and assistant professor at the New York College of Ceramics at Alfred University. In this episode, Stephanie shares their journey from Alberta to New York, revealing how different environments have shaped their approach to art and teaching. Through their work, Stephanie challenges societal norms using the female body as a site of resistance, employing elements of the grotesque and uncanny to explore themes of identity, power, and femininity.

Stephanie discusses their creative process, the impact of their upbringing during Alberta’s oil boom, and how these experiences fostered a deep commitment to feminism and influenced their artistic style. They also reflect on the nuances of living and working in New York versus Toronto, providing insight into the distinct art scenes and the challenges and opportunities each offers.

Discover Stephanie’s world of thought-provoking ceramics that blend myth with reality, pushing the boundaries of traditional art. For more on their work and upcoming projects, follow Stephanie on Instagram and visit their website.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe for more fascinating stories and insights from artists like Stephanie. Share this episode with a friend who loves exploring the deeper meanings behind contemporary art, and leave us a review to help spread the word about ArtBeat!

Today on ArtBeat, we uncover the creative process of Richard York, an expert in woodcut printmaking. In this episode, Richard discusses his artistic progression from childhood cartoons to revolutionizing woodcut art. He highlights his latest show, "The West Wind," a thought experiment that imagines Group of Seven artist Tom Thomson as a woodcut artist. Richard talks about blending age-old woodcut techniques with the dynamic qualities of painting, and how instinct plays a crucial role in determining when a print is complete. 

He also examines themes of disconnection from nature in his work, illustrated by the 'Savannah box' motif, and explores how viewers interpret personal and historical narratives through art. Reflecting on the diverse Canadian art landscape and its historical roots, Richard shares his insights on the elusive path to recognition in the art world.

To learn more about Richard York's artwork and upcoming exhibitions, visit Instagram or Mira Godard Gallery.

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On this episode of ArtBeat, we enter the fascinating world of Huy Lam, an artist renowned for transforming his expertise in photography into innovative sculptural forms. Huy explains how his photographic background enriches his sculptures, allowing him to create visual narratives that bridge cultural divides.

Throughout the episode, Huy discusses his methodical yet fluid approach to art, prioritizing exploring new methods and materials over adhering to a fixed message. He sheds light on the welcome synergy between himself and curators, which helps tailor his artistic vision while staying attuned to the commercial aspects of the art world.

Huy also takes us through the influences that have shaped his artistic voice, from his early experiences to his cultural heritage, and how these elements compel him to challenge artistic norms. He candidly discusses the broader obstacles faced by artists in Canada, highlighting the need for greater recognition and valuation of Canadian art on the international stage.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how Huy Lam merges diverse artistic disciplines to challenge and redefine the boundaries of traditional sculpture.

Explore Huy Lam’s work on Instagram, his website, or through United Contemporary.

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