Toronto's Art: Sculpture Mix IX International Art Treasures Web Magazine January 2007

Toronto's Art: Sculpture Mix IX

Sculpture in T.O.

In the Woods by Sun Mi Jung
Title: In the Woods
Artist: SunMi Jung
Image Courtesy SunMi Jung

Annually the Canadian Sculpture Centre showcases an exhibit to celebrate the dedication and, naturally, the work of members of the Sculptors Society of Canada.

The exhibit is called Sculpture Mix and the 9th annual event will take place beginning in January 2007.

Sophie DeFrancesca, a member of the Sculpture Centre discussed her contributions to Sculpture Mix IX. "I'll have two pieces at the show; figurative-wire mesh work. They were inspired by my mid-life crisis.

Tears and a Martini by Sophie DeFrancesca
Title: Tears and a Martinti
Artist: Sophie DeFrancesca
Medium: Galvanized Steel
Life Size
Image Courtesy: Sophie DeFrancesca

"One piece is very much like a glamorized Lichtensteinesque 3-d line drawing of a woman in crisis. I guess the premise behind this is thinking about culture and society these days. Often when I work I take an emotion that I'm feeling at the moment, sometimes exaggerated, add a little desperation and it makes for some interesting art. The culture that we are living in today and being at this stage in my life, I feel that there is so much pressure with my career that's all consuming and my family that's all consuming. As a woman we are keeping the anti-wrinkle companies in business with all the expectations that are on women. I often feel, despite the progress that women have made over the last several decades, women of our generation are no less stressed and not happier than women of generations past even with all the privileges and all the opportunities that we have right now. It seems that people are overwhelmed and there's so many factors contributing to that. I think the work that I have in this show is ambiguous about that and a viewer can put their own narrative to it, but my own inspiration comes from the stresses that I feel in life."

sMothering Growth by Sophie DeFrancesca
Title: sMothering Growth
Artist: Sophie DeFrancesca
Medium: Galvanized Steel and Plastic Coated Wires
Life Size
Image Courtesy: Sophie DeFrancesca

Sophie continues, "The other piece is about motherhood. We've all seen these mother figures in the shape of a tree, a nurturing figure with a baby.

"It's that's sort of an idea but showing a darker side to motherhood. There's thorny tangling vines pretty much strangling the child. The idea is holding on too tightly, not knowing when to let go. These are some of the things that I think about with respect to motherhood it's a lovely wonderful nurturing experience to be a mother at the same time there's a darker side of it, not knowing when to let go, holding on too tight, your own insecurities projected onto the child. I think people will get the sense of emotion behind that piece. I think people will also put their own narrative to the piece.  That would be the inspiration behind the works."

Sculptors featured in Sculpture Mix IX include.

  • Gordon Becker
  • Sophie DeFrancesca
  • Tonya Hart
  • Judy Raymer Ivkoff
  • Saulius Jaskus
  • SunMi Jung
  • Andrew Lindell
  • Janine Lindgren
  • J. Mac
  • Robert Malinowski
  • Richard McNeill
  • Farhad Nargol-O'Neill
  • Lilly Otasevic
  • Desmond Scott
  • Dina Torrans
  • John Wiles
  • Judi Michelle Young

Just a short walk from Davisville subway the Canadian Sculpture Centre demonstrates the talents of its members while fostering emerging talent.

Sculpture Mix IX
Canadian Sculpture Centre:
January 9 - February 2 2007

Canadian Sculpture Centre

www.cansculpt.org

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