“ABSTRACTION TO THE POWER OF FOUR”
In conjunction with Art Toronto ‘s 2020, virtual/live International Art Fair, VIVIANEART is proud to present “Abstraction to the Power of Four”, a group exhibition of works by four Canadian artists, each with their own distinct approach to Abstract painting: Serena Beaulieu, Sarah Nordean, Shawn Evans and Scott Everingham.
Hailing from Montreal, Calgary, and Toronto their works reflect the deep variations within the genre of abstract painting. From the formal, minimalist, architectural works of Beaulieu, to the obsessive, repetitive, mark making of Nordean, to the layered translucent collage informed imagery of Evans, to the expressive and richly coloured narrative works of Everingham, they collectively explore the visual language of abstraction.
Serena Beaulieu investigates the effects of color and form on visual perception. Through a skilful execution of clean hand-painted lines, bold use of color and simplistic geometric constructions, she merges her strong interest in formalism with an architectural style. Beaulieu is informed by her own inner-city surroundings, experimenting with scale and depth to emphasize the three-dimensionality of her forms. She graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Concordia University (2017) and currently lives and works in Montreal, Quebec.
In her paintings and drawings artist Sarah Nordean uses the obsessive repetition of small gestures as a way to consider the rhythms of time, labour, and place. Small marks accumulate over time into larger organic masses. Her aim is to generate a tension between the meticulousness of her mark making and the amorphous shapes that form. “I attempt to echo the relentless nature of everyday life as a way to showcase simplicity, to highlight small differences, and to acknowledge the inevitable complexities.” She completed her Masters of Fine Arts at Emily Carr University (2014) and currently is on faculty at Alberta University of the Arts in Calgary, Alberta.
Shawn Evans developed his own form of abstraction through architecture and its relationship to urban and natural landscape. Motivated by his understanding of the importance of space and perspective, Evans’ work is inspired by his collection of personal photographs that serve as source material for his paintings. Shawn Evans graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design in 2009. He currently lives and works in Toronto, Ontario.
Scott Everingham’s paintings exist between abstraction and storytelling. Fictional narratives inform the structure of his works that ultimately develop into immersive abstract spaces. His paintings record a thoughtful process involving the manipulation of color, gesture and the physicality of paint. Revealing fragments of architectural and natural elements, Everingham draws viewers into surreal environments that explore illusory human habitations. Three-time finalist in the prestigious RBC Canadian Painting Competition (2009, 2010, 2013), Everingham holds a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and an MFA from the University of Waterloo. He is on the faculty of Ontario College of Art and Design University in Toronto, Canada.
