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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

CREATIVE STUDIO PRODUCTION

Creative Studio Production, as can be seen at my website, is not new to me as a visual/media artist. Given that I work on a cyclical project basis, I am thrilled to recently be awarded a City of Ottawa studio space for the next 6 months.

Anywhere one travels in the world, artists talk about problems of availability and appropriateness of studio space. Artists living in the Kitikmeot Hamlets in Nunavut from where I just returned also struggle with lack of ventilated carving studios. They tell me carving studios are crucial to avoid respiratory illnesses related to ingestion of fine stone dust, sometimes contaminated with asbestos.

Rex Goose, Carver at Ulukhaktok Art Centre, Holman 
Island, Northwest Territories works on an antler 
carving of a muskox using communal tools.
The carving studio shown at left is a positive example of what can be done inexpensively for proper ventilation. This is the Ulukhaktok Art Centre in the Inuvialuit Region of the Northwest Territories, where I also visited in January/February 2013. Even when a carver works at home, they must wear a mask to prevent respiratory problems.

Taluq Design Centre of Taloyoak/Spence Bay, Boothia 
Peninsula Nunavut, Canada
The Taluq Design Centre artists of Taloyoak Nunavut (shown) have successfully combined a place for creative production and sales. Local fibre artists create wool sculptures unique to Taloyoak which are priced at standard corporate rates. On the other hand, most artists in Kitikmeot as everywhere, work out of their homes. The difference in Nunavut is artists sell door-to-door in a climate that dips to -50c wind chill, pulling an antler sculpture or wall hanging from under their parka before a quick sale is made.

An artist studio is anywhere one works and can be in or outside the home.  My new project studio  space is idyllically located outside but near my home, and a short scenic bike ride to my sailing club.

An inspirational setting in which to muse, my recent arctic memories intermingling with Ottawa River spring and summer seasonal fragrances. The abundance of my photography and journal research in the Inuvialuit NWT and Kitikmeot Nunavut during January/February 2013 surrounds me, now in a contrasting southern geography. This alchemy of production includes experimental techniques and medium. My studio practice is research based. As in my writing, my visual/media practice is autobiographically inspired and positioned within larger contemporary aesthetic and socio-enviromental discussion on the dynamic of memory where the present recreates the past, and implications for fluidity in identity.

8 comments:

  1. Congratulations on being awarded a studio space. I do hope you experience a productive time in it.

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    1. Thanks Lesley. And also for the birthday message.

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    2. Dear Sandy,
      Glad to see you made it home from the Great White North. It was lovely of you to invite me to your site. My daughter will also visit as I am forwarding it to her. She tells me she has started to read your book. I am sure in time you will hear from her. She is very happy as recently she has received requests for portraits to be done. She is so excited about it. I am sure your book will be a great asset to her. It was wonderful meeting you at my B&B in Yellowknife until next time
      Take care
      Faith Embleton
      Embleton House B&B Yellowknife, NT Canada

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    4. Hi Faith;
      I'm just seeing your wonderful note of encouragement now, July 27, 2013. I've just posted a blog entry titled, "Preparing for Art Exhibitions", which may interest your daughter.

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  2. For Me, Enterpreneurship is search for my destination, while you move on with your life, sometimes you come across an idea which you believe

    passionate about and slowly and slowly you start sleeping with it- and you become enterpreneur

    Guerrilla Rebellion

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  3. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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