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Winter in Whistler means three new art exhibits

Art Junction celebrates their new addition By Shelley Arnusch Who: Niina Chebry What: Artist Reception Where: art junction@function When: Saturday Jan. 31, 3-6 p.m.

Art Junction celebrates their new addition

By Shelley Arnusch

Who: Niina Chebry

What: Artist Reception

Where: art junction@function

When: Saturday Jan. 31, 3-6 p.m.

Growing up on a farm just outside of Edmonton, it’s understandable that painter Niina Chebry would draw inspiration from horses, cows and chickens.

But it wasn’t that easy. She had to travel the world to find it. Her bovine-themed works are not the sleepy-eyed Bessies lolling in Alberta pastures, but heady mythological beasts inspired by the sacred cows of Hinduism and ancient temple imagery in Indonesia. Her horses aren’t the high-stepping, mane-tossing narcissists from pre-teen fiction, but abstract suggestions.

"It’s funny, because when I was living on the farm I never painted cows," Chebry muses. "We raised Angus cows, but I never thought of painting them.

Instead the inspiration originated during a motorcycle trip into remote areas of Central and South America. She became infatuated with the iridescence and rich tones of the chickens in Amazonian villages, and the surreal images of "lost cows," wandering in the middle of nowhere or standing on the edge of a cliff.

"When I came back to Canada I kind of left that for a bit, but then a year later, I’m in India, and I had no choice. The cows were everywhere and they were so gorgeous, so I had to paint the cows," she says.

It’s horse imagery, however, that will dominate Chebry’s Whistler exhibit, opening this Saturday at the funky art junction@function gallery. Represented to a lesser extent will be her "east meets west" works, exploring ancient erotic Minotaur mythology, and literal sacred cows.

The ex-high school art teacher currently resides in Vancouver after extended stays in France, South/Central America, India, Indonesia and most recently, Japan. Vancouver’s damp climate, she says, has allowed her to continue exploring a palate of moss-inspired hues, something she first discovered in a more exotic locale.

"Two things really triggered my painting, moss and rust," says Chebry. "It kind of sparked when I was in Indonesia. Any kind of tropical climate like that, the moss is really amazing. You get anything from turquoise to bright mustard colours."

The Indo-inspired palate is only one side of Chebry. Her equine paintings represent her most recent work and show a more luminous, dreamy style.

Chebry chuckles at the suggestion she could be considered "chameleon-like."

"I work on themes simultaneously; it keeps my work fresh," she says. "When I start a new theme, my palate often completely changes. What will be interesting at this gallery is that you’ll also have a chance to view some of the work that was inspired from Indonesia, from the temples of Java – that palate is completely different from the horses."

Art Junction is Chebry’s first experience exhibiting in Whistler. A new addition to the gallery’s roster in 2004, director Jan Holmberg deems the artist a good fit with art junction’s "concept."

"We focus on B.C. artists entirely," notes Holmberg. "Her style and the look of her art is something fresh to our gallery. It’s not conflicting with anything we have and we think her pieces are refreshing and exciting and that’s why we want to give her space."

Chebry will be in attendance at an artist’s reception at the gallery this Saturday, Jan. 31, from 3 to 6 p.m. Call 604-938-9000 for information.

Charlesworth back to inspire winter warmth

Who: Rod Charlesworth

What: Warm Memories of Cold Winters opening

Where: Adele-Campbell Fine Art Gallery

When: Saturday, Jan. 31, 5-9 p.m.

Adele-Campbell Fine Art Gallery owner Michelle Kirkegaard assures there will be hot chocolate and marshmallows on hand at the reception for the fine art gallery’s latest exhibition Warm Memories of Cold Winters by long-time feature artist Rod Charlesworth.

There could be no better complement to Charlesworth’s signature scenes of snow-covered winter fun the old fashioned way. Skiing, sledding, outdoor pickup hockey games, Charlesworth strips away all the black ice and biting blizzards and leaves only the best parts of winter: rosy cheeks, fresh air, and bright scarves framed by snow-laden pines.

Warm Memories

will feature new works by the popular Okanagan-based artist, whose annual mid-winter exhibits have become an Adele-Campbell tradition, as old as the gallery itself.

"He’s a great fit with this time of year," says Kirkegaard. "Everyone loves the colour, the fun. It really does provoke thoughts of childhood.

"He tells a great story in his painting of those memories and everyone relates to them. The canvases are so brightly coloured and warm, even though they’re of winter. It makes you feel great about this time of year."

Charlesworth will be in attendance at an opening reception, taking place tomorrow evening from 5 to 9 p.m. The exhibit continues through Feb. 5. Call 604-938-0887 for information.

Meagher’s menagerie takes over MY Place

Who: Patrick Meagher

What: Boreal Bestiary opening

Where: MY (Millennium) Place

When: Friday, Feb. 6., 5-7 p.m.

A new exhibit beginning Feb. 1 in the upstairs space at MY Place features paintings by Pemberton artist Patrick Meagher.

Also known for his bronze casting, wood carving and ceramic works, the MY Place show will for the most part feature Meagher’s abstract paintings of local animal species.

BorealBestiary

will be on display through the month of February with an opening reception next Friday, Feb. 6. Call 604-935-8410 for information.