Paper
Dolls
June 1 - 24, 2006
Opening Reception: Thursday June 1, 6 - 8 pm
 Paper Dolls is new series of
figurative works by Vancouver-based artist Angela Grossmann.
From an intense collision of ideas and materials, Grossmann
constructs parallel metaphors for the emotional world of young
teen girls. The images are lush with painterly textures and
the fine details of plaid, lace and gingham.
Her fictional people have an extraordinarily presence and sense
of wholeness, although they have been collaged from dozens of
photo fragments that she has merged, emphasized and enhanced
with paint. They speak of both a passionate creative process
and the ever-shifting world of social status, fashion and identity
among the “paper dolls” of 2006. She describes her
work as “theatre” in the sense that each figure
and each group, wholly conceived and costumed by Grossmann,
reflects the social construction of issues facing young people.
New images on vintage music posters further emphasize the moral
distance from the ethos of the 1950s, when the concept of the
“teenager” was created.
The internationally recognized artist has explored coming-of-age
themes in earlier shows, including Alpha Girls (2004)
and Thirteen (2002-3). She has devoted much of her
career to examining themes of displacement and social margins.
After earning an MFA at Concordia University and teaching at
Ottawa University, Grossmann returned to Vancouver in 1996 to
paint and to teach at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design.
Diane Farris Gallery has represented Angela Grossmann dating
from the gallery’s inception in 1984 with twelve solo
shows and numerous group exhibits. Her work has been exhibited
widely across Canada, the United States and Europe. As a member
of the artist group known as Futura Bold, Grossmann recently
participated in Vancouver School, a massive sculptural
installation at the Artists for Kids Gallery, North Vancouver.
|
|
|
|
Paper Dolls
|
Press
Related articles
|
|
Protegé
2006, mixed media on canvas
|
