This exhibition grew out of a Southern Lakes Artist Collective (SLAC) gathering in summer 2019 when a large part of the meeting had been focused on worldly problems and the seemingly inadequate governmental and societal responses. However, on reflection, no one had mentioned a spiritual perspective or solution. This realization sparked the idea to reflect on “God/god” for an exhibition.
While for some spiritual beliefs are the central operative tenet of their lives for others the word ‘god’ and the church were the problem and not a solution. Many fell somewhere between those poles but for all the exhibition was a lens to explore their connection to something greater than themselves. Each of the artists addressed this personal subject with a diversity of materials and outlooks.
“While for some spiritual beliefs are the central operative tenet of their lives for others the word ‘god’ and the church were the problem and not a solution.”
SLAC is a group of artists excited to converse, collaborate, and critique. They push each other and are not afraid to tackle hard subjects. In this exhibit, they did not shy away from one of the big taboo subjects around the dinner table, ‘god.’
Past SLAC exhibitions often demonstrated a unity in materials as they organize skills and knowledge sharing between the members. However, in this show, partly with the difficulty in gathering during the pandemic, the pieces are far more individual. This allows each individual artist to explore such personal subject matter. This great diversity of the works reflects the plurality of outlooks on spirituality and a personal connection with something greater than yourself.
There is breathing space to hold your views and perhaps see them contemplated in the multitude of interpretations present. There are strong themes of finding connection in nature and community and how we are but a small part of the greater existence. May the exhibition be a point of meditation and connection for you as you visit our space.
About the Southern Lakes Artists Collective:
The Southern Lakes Artists Collective (SLAC) was formed during an open house at the Ted Harrison Artist Retreat. It was conceived as a result of informal conversations among artists from the Southern Lakes region that afternoon. At the core, SLAC is an artist peer network – a place to share knowledge, skills and discuss art in a critical and thoughtful manner.
While the membership now extends beyond the Southern Lakes and no doubt everyone had slightly different ambitions for the group, the initial reasons for being have persisted. SLAC is a contemplative group of artists with whom to share thoughts and ideas. There is also generous sharing of techniques, knowledge and experience. Meeting to catch up but also to conduct critiques of recent or in progress artwork. This invaluable exchange is dependent upon a high level of mutualism and trust, which has grown over the years.
IMAGE GALLERY - by Mike Thomas
