June 6 - July 1, 2003
Octopus’ Garden
Laura Burns
Patty Dowler
Laura Burns’ work (photo) reflects her fascination with the forms and patterns that occur naturally in nature. After several visits to the Caribbean she became interested in the formal representation of shells and sea life. One of her favourite pastimes is collecting shells on the shoreline.
It’s pretty hard to compete with mother-nature. I’m just mimicking nature. I’m a nature freak; what’s cool about shells is that the critters themselves can be ugly, sometimes hideous, but they make beautiful shells. If the shell becomes damaged, the critter repairs it. My glass shells are like fake fur….You get a good specimen and no critters were killed in the process!
Patty Dowler says: I have lived on the west coast of Vancouver Island for 25 years and never fail to be overwhelmed by the beauty of this environment. I took a simple course in basketry in 1977 and began experimenting with various materials from Chinese reed (bamboo) to cedar roots and cattails. For the last 15 years I have used mainly kelp and other seaweeds to create baskets. Some of my work is utilitarian but many of the pieces enter the realm of "art".
Gathering kelp is as much fun for me as actually making baskets. I spend hours on our beaches looking for well-dried kelp that has been thrown up on the rocks and has had time to "cure". When I am ready to make a basket I rewet the kelp, make my basket and then put it out on the porch to dry. Each piece is unique, almost having its own personality. I like to add shells, starfish or whatever interesting things I find.
Laura Burns is a native of British Columbia and a graduate of Emily Carr. Laura’s work has been exhibited in galleries across western Canada, as well as internationally and she currently works out of Joe Blow Glassworks in Vancouver.
Patty Dowler has participated in many gallery shows and works out of her studio at her home in Sooke on Vancouver Island.
Opening Thursday, June 5, 2003, 6pm - 8pm
Circle Craft Gallery - Granville Island Net Loft
