TOUCHED is an exhibition presenting artwork to be enjoyed and appreciated by sighted and non-sighted people. TOUCHED presents works that explore the emotional, physical and visceral responses to the theme of touch. Key to this exhibition is the concept of sensory responses. The works in this exhibition also expand on the typical assumptions when viewing art…you look, but you don’t touch!

The artists encourage an understanding of art that goes beyond the limits of seeing. The art by the children in a similar way allows for an understanding of their unique perspectives. Michael Jacob Ambedian, Aganetha Dyck, Stephen Hawes, Mark Jaroszewicz, and Tina Poplawski make work to be touched, picked up, handled and experienced in a physical way. The artists are responding in innovative ways to a cheeky and somewhat subversive concept within museum environments, since touching artwork in a public gallery is generally prohibited.

In the other two galleries the works of Denise Pelletier, Laura Donefer & Susan Edgerley explore emotional and evocative references to the connections we make with each other and our bodies. Due to the large scale and delicate nature of Pelletier, Donefer and Edgerley’s artworks, these installations are not to be touched.

On July 26, pieces created by children with developmental, physical and communication disabilities will be incorporated into the exhibition. The pieces created at ArtsExpress Camp will be highly tactile and will enable the public to learn more about creativity and art’s impact in communication and self-confidence. Information on the classes and therapies provided by KidsAbility will be available. ArtsExpress Camp

PRESENTED IN THE KEITH & WINIFRED SHANTZ GALLERY AND THE MUTUAL TOWER GALLERY

MICHAEL JACOB AMBEDIAN’s sculptural sand work utilizes the motif of the “hand” for its association with the sense of touch and to evoke the idea of community. The sand-cast hands and boats are arranged in various configurations evoking the kind of sculptures created by children in playgrounds.

AGANETHA DYCK presents her signature-shrunken garment technique. “Close Knit” is a body of work where woollen garments are washed hundreds of times, until they cannot shrink any further and then stitched with a number of glass beads. Caressing the sweaters evokes associations of comfort, childhood and security.

STEPHEN HAWES works on two projects that address interpretation and collaboration with the assistance of Bradley and Joseph, who are both autistic. Hawes creates the forms and Joseph draws and inscribes characters and drawings of his choice. In the second collaboration, Hawes’ studio and work is photographed and reinterpreted by Bradley; both projects reflect on the aspect of looking at the artist from another’s eye.

MARK JAROSZEWICZ presents a ceramic “calculator” numbering system. Visitors will be able to pick up the “ceramic numerals” and reconfigure them into different combinations. This 3-D numeral system combines our current base ten numeral standard (0123456789) plus counting with our fingers to convert new mathematical configurations into 3-D forms. Sight, touch, mass, movement and colour are utilized to express a problem or answer.

TINA POPLAWSKI presents a wall-based work titled “Zal”, translated from Polish to mean, “my heart is hurting and filled with sadness and joy and anger and love and I will survive no matter what they throw at me.” The artwork consists of three drawings and a group of large and small scale crocheted doily wall sculptures made from jute, acrylic emulsions and pigments, mimicking the look of popular Polish folkloric patterns.

PRESENTED IN THE DONALD & PAMELA BIERSTOCK GALLERY

DENISE PELLETIER’s installation “Purgare” employs reconstructions of antique medical devices. The reference to intimacy and bodily intrusions with regards to these devices inform this installation. The altered ceramic medical devices are arranged and hung like a bulbous and growing vine suspended by rubber tubes and copper pipes.

PRESENTED IN THE DR. DOUGLAS WRIGHT EDUCATION GALLERY

LAURA DONEFER & SUSAN EDGERLEY “Story Tellers” is a collaborative installation celebrating 25 years of friendship and exhibition history. Donefer uses glass as a metaphor for life, and describes her work as “driven by inner forces, which are unrelated to conscious thought.” On view are large-scale wall-sculptures and intricately detailed amulet pots titled “Shields To Ward Off Madness”. Edgerley creates a large glass diptych on two walls of the gallery space. In her work form, texture, material, light and shadow all combine to create visual metaphors to explore the cyclical nature of life, spirituality, individuality, unity and multiplicity.