Nostalgia is in full showcase through the exhibits of four Georgian Bay artists who have taken the things one might find at a giant flea market, and have turned into art.
‘Not Lost But Found’ is the latest exhibition running from November through January at the Quest Art School and Gallery in Midland.
Roughly 60 purchasable pieces are on display from Brendan Duggan, Peter Fyfe, David Hill and John Notten who collectively worked to repurpose discarded elements of Canadian living, transforming them into unique works of playful and whimsical art which invite the viewer to discover their intent and meaning.
“This show in particular asks you to spend some time, examine what you're looking at, read the statements, and come up with your own interpretation of what you're looking at,” said Lawrence Sagar, director at Quest Art School and Gallery.
“But it does make you stop and smile, because there's something tangible that you can relate to.”
The centrepiece of the exhibit is ‘Cascade Effect’ by John Notten, with a suggestion by the artist that it represents weekends of leaving it all behind while contradictorily bringing it all with us.
At a glance, it would appear to represent the flow of water downhill as if carved out of the Ontario wilderness. However, the materials utilized for the piece include pool noodles, an inflated tube, a portable cottage travel shell for vehicles, and a gas container as just some revelations upon closer inspection.
Surrounding ‘Cascade Effect’, other pieces contain up to a dozen mismatched pairings that individually are their own item but coalesce into a juxtaposition that creates nostalgia for those who have ever lived or travelled within Ontario.
“It's more than a memory lane,” said Sagar. “It's creating an environment and a story.”
Some pieces include interactive elements, such as the assemblage at the entrance of the exhibit. Citing inspiration from the recent government controversy of the Ontario Science Centre, ‘Oh Deer!’ compiled model cars and Radio Shack components to produce a push-button statement on “the conflict between the natural world and the human desire to cover and control it all” (Fyfe).
“I do have an appreciation for all of the items in this room, as well as the message,” said Sagar. “Being creative, having a tenacious appeal to be fun and whimsical, and making things that question your intent of what you're looking at.”
Quest Art School and Gallery is located on the second floor of the Midland Cultural Centre at 333 King Street in Midland.
