Tyshan Wright – Myal
The Craig Main & Case Gallery
February 3-28, 2021

Now and Then Artist’s Statement

I have never dated my work. Mainly because the final, finished date is often uncertain. I usually work on several paintings at once, working on one, then putting it away and working on another. I have been sure one was done, hung it on my wall for one year, or three, then decided it wasn’t quite right, something doesn’t work. So, I would haul it down and work on it again until I’m satisfied.

There is one, the oldest work here , ”Dark of the Moon”, which has 1964 written on the back.. The rest move from then to now.

I move from earthy, monochromatic tones to bright colour, without a conscious , thoughtful direction. It just happens, and may reflect whether my life is filled with more darkness than light at the time, or the opposite. Or perhaps I just wanted a change in palatte, to burst out or reflect inwards.

I love words, and a phrase, like “Snail Mail” will stick in my head and produce an image. “Pare!”, an imperative command, and a play on “pear”, words and fruit both there . Grammatical errors, “Split Infinitive”, or “Dangling Paticiple” give rise to small abstracts.

A black crow is a strong shape to work with, jumping fish elegant and graceful. A dragonfly flits through my mind, darting this way and that, until I stop the flight and put her in a frame.

I send these ideas out, from my mind to my hand , hoping to connect with the person who stands in front of my work and sees what I offer them.

Taiya Barss

Taiya Barss – Now and Then
The Craig Main Gallery
June 10 – July 5, 2020

Now and Then Artist’s Statement

I have never dated my work. Mainly because the final, finished date is often uncertain. I usually work on several paintings at once, working on one, then putting it away and working on another. I have been sure one was done, hung it on my wall for one year, or three, then decided it wasn’t quite right, something doesn’t work. So, I would haul it down and work on it again until I’m satisfied.

There is one, the oldest work here , ”Dark of the Moon”, which has 1964 written on the back.. The rest move from then to now.

I move from earthy, monochromatic tones to bright colour, without a conscious , thoughtful direction. It just happens, and may reflect whether my life is filled with more darkness than light at the time, or the opposite. Or perhaps I just wanted a change in palatte, to burst out or reflect inwards.

I love words, and a phrase, like “Snail Mail” will stick in my head and produce an image. “Pare!”, an imperative command, and a play on “pear”, words and fruit both there . Grammatical errors, “Split Infinitive”, or “Dangling Paticiple” give rise to small abstracts.

A black crow is a strong shape to work with, jumping fish elegant and graceful. A dragonfly flits through my mind, darting this way and that, until I stop the flight and put her in a frame.

I send these ideas out, from my mind to my hand , hoping to connect with the person who stands in front of my work and sees what I offer them.

Taiya Barss

Kevin MacLean – “Zeeboaten” oddment sculpture
The Craig Case Gallery
November 10, 2020 – January 4th, 2021

Oddment artist K MacLean based in Halifax, creates sculptural works using oceanwood, wire, clock mechanisms, industrial surplus, and found objects that are interpretations of WW2 warships fused with fantastic vessels reminiscent of those imagined by Jules Verne. Due to the nature of working with found objects, all are the one and only of it’s kind. Beautiful happenchance.

The sculptures from “Zeebooten” were inspired while hiking numerous Nova Scotia beaches in search of ocean tumbled objects and encountering abandoned bunkers outside of Halifax and along the South Shore.