ARTIST RECEPTION & TALK
Saturday April 20, 1-4
CKG is pleased to announce an exhibition of new work by Calgary artist & tattoo maven, Karrie Arthurs.
"Past Lives" includes Arthur's signature reworking of found objects with a particular emphasis on creating intricate narratives surrounding these often old vintage items she has amassed over the years.
The show includes a small selection of the current incarnation of her reworked antique portraits, embellished antique carboard auction paddles, as well as works that took her in new directions.
As part of one of these new directions Arthurs has created her own creative interpretation of "paños" - pen or pencil drawings on found fabric, often handkerchiefs. Traditionally they were created by prisoners with what was available to them while incarcerated, which were then mailed to loved ones. Karrie's curiosity about the art form - its economy of means, narrative element and the personal connection of these small fabric artworks prompted her to explore the simplicity of drawing with basic ballpoint on her curated collection of found textiles.
Karrie’s visual language and drawing style as an accomplished tattoo artist overlaps significantly with her fine art practice, adding an additional facet to the unique narrative and compositional modalities inherent in all her work - whether on a client's skin or an antique embellished hanky.
