Painter expands horizon with mixed media installation
In an upcoming installation, painter Sue Miller explores the fragile ecology of the beach by bringing the outdoors into the gallery.
Miller, who works out of the Mill Street Art Studio in Creemore, moved to Wasaga Beach where she had an experience that inspired her to go beyond the canvas and create a multi-media three-dimensional immersive installation using organic materials, painting and audio recordings.
Called Georgian Bay Primordial, the installation will be on display at the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts in Collingwood from March 2 until April 14. It will be enhanced by a group exhibit called Harmony in Nature, including the work of 16 artists chosen by Miller.
Three years ago after having moved to Wasaga’s west end, her new home just minutes from the shore, Miller heard a commotion by the water one early spring day and went to investigate. She saw thousands of geese gathered along the shore, in the water and on patches of ice.
“The feeling I had witnessing this was: this was their world. I was an insignificant observer. I felt as if I was in a time before humans dominated the planet. It was exhilarating and also humbling,” said Miller.
The installation aims to honour the beach as a natural place. The message, she said, is that the shoreline is vital and fragile, not just a playground for tourists.
Miller has recorded the sounds of the beach – the geese, calm waves, spring peepers and songbirds – which will be playing in each corner of the room as people move throughout the installation, a hanging sculpture created from found materials against a backdrop of beach scenes. Miller worked with local artist Chris Hession to create the soundscape and install the exhibit.
In the adjoining room of the gallery, Miller has curated a complementary show with Creemore area artists Peter Adams, Elizabeth Eakins, Martha Bull, Chris Hession, Frith Bail, Juliet Jancso and Jordan Eveland. The show also includes Rod Prouse, Melody Madden, Cathy Griggs, Janet Read, Jeanette Luchese, Halyna Morowdec Regenbogen, Karen Cameron, Ruth Irvine and Claustro.
Miller said she chose artists who are inspired by nature, many of whom have created new work for the show.
In conjunction with the exhibit, Miller is offering two March Break workshops for children on found-object sculpture and is holding a workshop at Connaught Public School in Collingwood.
The project is funded in part by Ontario Arts Council funding but there are sponsorship opportunities available.
The opening reception for Georgian Bay Primordial and Harmony in Nature is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 4 at Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts, located 163 Hurontario St. in Collingwood.
