The Craft Council of BC is hosting sculptor Debra Sloan’s latest solo show ‘Les Grandes Dames’ at its gallery/craft shop at 1386 Cartwright street, on Granville Island. It’s in the building that we knew as Crafthouse in the past. When we found that registration for the Opening on June 6th was full we made a plan to attend Debra’s scheduled artist’s talk and see the show when there was less of a crowd. Her talk will take place at nearby Carousel Theatre, at 1411 Cartwright street on July 18th. at 7pm. https://craftcouncilbc.ca/les-grande-dames/
But then, once my own SHUFFLE evening was over I needed to take a new selection of pots into Circle Craft. So one day last week Alan and I walked from the Netloft building over to the Craft Council gallery and were able to have a good look at Debra’s astonishing group of significant women.
Debra says:
‘Les Grandes Dames’ is an assemblage of figures depicting women as distinct entities. My objective has been to add my visual voice to those who have been and are involved in repositioning the rights and personhood of women. This is also a cautionary tale. Women’s rights have existed only within narrow bands of history and usually involving only a portion of the world’s women, which, during this last century, some have been experiencing – but storm clouds loom.
We have seen Debra’s dogs, babies and horses in her previous shows but here she has concentrated on portraying elegantly clad women with distinctive, slightly worrying hairstyles. She has been inspired by Tang Dynasty terracotta Court Lady tomb figures. The large woman with the big skirt was made in collaboration with Vancouver artist Drew Shaffer, with the help of Debra’s sister, daughter and granddaughter to place the carefully selected shards and memorabilia on the vast skirt’s shelves.
There was one large angry baby in the show, and two more standing toddlers in the main area of the shop. You can’t miss Debra’s sculpture style.
Congratulations Debra. You have made an impressive court of ladies and shown us, once again, how much you enjoy the trials and tribulations of working with our favourite medium, clay. I look forward to hearing more about your intentions in portraying these carefully clad women, at your July 18th talk.
It was good to wander through Crafthouse once more. Since the closing of the Gallery of BC Ceramics across the street I am ashamed to admit that I haven’t walked in this area of the Island recently. Craft Council of BC is an important organisation which promotes the creation, study and marketing of BC’s Fine Crafts. I’ll say it again here, it’s crucial that we support craftspeople in these difficult economic times. Why don’t we have an enormous gallery and shop for Fine Crafts (and specifically Ceramics of course!) in the now-vacant Emily Carr campus just nearby?? Vancouver City, BC Arts Council, private patrons.. step up!
On the next day I was delighted to welcome a small ‘Raid’ in my studio once more. Next blog…
