Back to archives | Back to FOFA Gallery

Private Views: Marion Wagschal
Main Gallery and Black Box

January 5-February 5
Vernissage:  january 14,  5à7

click here for more information on our Special Events and Sunday opening: January 17, 12-6
click here to read the transcript of the speech François Morelli gave at the vernissage.

While visiting Marion Wagschal’s studio to choose a large scale portrait for the opening show of the FOFA gallery, curator Lynn Beavis took notice of a pile of drawings that the artist had produced over a period of approximately two years.
 
Unlike Wagschal’s larger paintings these ideas are based on imagination and are cartoon like in character but are quite reminiscent of classical watercolours and illustrations of fairytales, similar to the work of Kara Walker and Marcel Dzama.
 
Wagschal says,
“I began to work in this way during a hiatus in my usual production, appreciating the surprises and spontaneity of watercolors, chalks and charcoal, which suited my intentions.  Starting with an intense feeling, memory or pre-existing image, things began to unfold and transform many times during the process of mark making and concealments, unlimited versions that finally lead to a quality of resonance, and intensity. Of late, I have also begun use found photos, culling clues with intense scrutiny from anonymous and art historical sources, drawn free hand, so that they assume other identities and give to relatively impersonal information, an emotional urgency not immediately noticeable.”
 
Wagschal refers to these as her secret drawings, dealing with themes of illness, ageing, loss, societal pressure, roles, that emerge in scenes of bitter irony and humour.  

This exhibition will be followed by a solo exhibition of painting at Battat Contemporary

April 15 to May 29, 2010
 

http://battatcontemporary.com/english/artists/marion-wagschal

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts which last year invested $37.8 million in the arts in Quebec.

© Concordia University