Connecting with D’Amico #1
Silent Messengers: Connecting with D’Amico #1
archival inkjet on paper and clear mylar layer
53.3 x 41.5 cm.
Read about this collaboration with Karen D’Amico.
You are browsing the Blog for Silent Messengers Archives - Page 3 of 3 - Marja-Leena Rathje.
by Marja-Leena by Marja-Leena Silent Messengers: Hoodoos V
Silent Messengers: Hoodoos V
Inkjet & collagraph on paper, inkjet on clear mylar layer
91.5 x 58.3 cm.
Please read my Artist’s Statement.
by Marja-Leena Silent Messengers: Hoodoos IV
Silent Messengers: Hoodoos IV
Inkjet & collagraph on paper, inkjet on clear mylar layer
91.5 x 58.3 cm.
Please read my Artist’s Statement.
by Marja-Leena Exhibition Photo & Statement
Installation of Silent Messengers: Hoodoos I to V (left to right)
Artist’s Exhibition Statement
For some years now, my work has been informed by and engaged with the contrasts and tension between connections in the ancient marks made by early humans, (particularly in the areas of my ethnic roots in northern Europe), in Nature’s own mark-making and shape-making (such as the Hoodoos), and in my own use, as a modern human, of new technologies in image making.
The “Silent Messengers” series of prints are the most recent works, the culmination of experiments and research into combining traditional and digital printmaking techniques on paper and mylar as evidenced in the “Nexus” prints also shown here. I have desired to exploit the effect of layering transparent materials to embody a concept of time and continuity of humans and nature.
Referencing ancient rock art in a modern way is my way of acknowledging this long thread of connection with those humans and artists of long ago.
Much of my research is by way of the internet and books, virtual travel in the comfort of my chair. One of many inspiring researchers for me has been Pekka Kivikäs, a keen documenter and author of books on Finnish rock art aimed at readers interested in the ancient culture of Finno-Ugric regions. Kivikäs considers rock art “the silent message of man from behind the thousands of years”. Recently rereading about him and his work, I was struck by that phrase, considering that my current print series is titled “Silent Messengers”.
Silent Messengers
Studio Art Gallery at Capilano College
North Vancouver, BC, Canada
November 16th – December 7th, 2005
Note: In the archives under PrintWorks – Silent Messengers, you may view closer photos of Silent Messengers: Hoodoos I, Silent Messengers: Hoodoos II and Silent Messengers: Hoodoos III. Proper photos of Hoodoos IV and V will be posted later when I’ve taken slides of all the latest new work.
by Marja-Leena opening night
Here are just a few photos of the opening of Silent Messengers, my exhibition of mixed media prints which opened on Wednesday evening, November 16th. (I’m the one in the red shirt!) Though many friends did not make it that night, there were quite a few nice surprises amongst those who did. It was exciting to meet in person several people whom I’d met through my blog like Jason, and blogger Jill with Nola, and Linda and Brian who gave me a tiny book Petroglyphs of Quadra Island by Joy Inglis, a reprint of part of The Spirit in the Stone. That book, that is my post on it, was how they found my blog and wrote me about their own visits to the petroglyphs, so thank you for that special gift and for your presence that night!!
It was also great to see Michael Boxall, former editor of Arts Alive, who had done a fabulous interview of Bonnie Jordan and me about our show that was going to Finland back in 2002. He spent a long time looking at the group Silent Messengers: Connecting with D’Amico #1-5, saying those were his favourites.
Thank you everyone for all the great questions and conversations about my work and the very positive feedback. A special thank you to Peter, a fellow artist, for helping me install my work earlier that day. As I wrote earlier it was a very exciting day in more ways than just this opening!
I know these photos don’t show much of my work at all, but I will post some installation shots soon, though I will have to reshoot some of them later.
By the way, if you are in the Vancouver area, haven’t yet seen the show yet and would like to visit it, the exhibition continues to December 7th. If need be, I may be able to open the gallery outside the posted hours if you let me know by email.
by Marja-Leena exhibition invitation
You are invited to come to the opening of my exhibition! I’d love to meet you local bloggers and readers!
Silent Messengers: mixed media prints
Opening: November 16th, 4:30 – 8:00p.m.
Studio Art Gallery, Capilano College**
2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver
The exhibition is on from November 16th to December 7th, 2004.
Gallery hours: 10am – 4pm Monday – Friday
(or by appointment – email me)
Note: If you need directions to the Studio Art Building, please email me and I can send you a PDF map. It’s a 1.5 MB file, too big to upload here, and you probably need a fast connection to receive it. OR if you send me your address, I will mail you the card which has a map on the back.
I’ll keep reposting this so that it stays on the main page.
Addendum: To find your way to the North Vancouver Capilano College** campus, check out Google maps. Thanks for the tip, J!
** now University
by Marja-Leena Silent Messengers: Hoodoos III
Silent Messengers: Hoodoos III
Inkjet & collagraph on paper, inkjet on clear mylar layer
91.5 x 58.3 cm.
Please see Silent Messengers: Hoodoos I for more information about this series.
by Marja-Leena Silent Messengers: Hoodoos II
Silent Messengers: Hoodoos II
Inkjet & collagraph on paper, inkjet on clear mylar layer
91.5 x 58.3 cm.
Please see Silent Messengers: Hoodoos I for more information about this series.
by Marja-Leena Silent Messengers: Hoodoos I
Silent Messengers: Hoodoos I
Inkjet & collagraph on paper, inkjet on clear mylar layer
91.5 x 58.3 cm.
The two layers are attached together with three small grommets at top, allowing layers to hang loosely and without frames. Note some reflection off the clear shiny mylar.
This is the first in my new “Silent Messengers” series of prints, the culmination of two years of experiments and research into combining traditional and digital printmaking techniques on paper and mylar. My explorations into materials suitable for layering will continue in order to exploit the effect of layering transparent materials to embody a concept of time.
This inquiry is informed by and engaged with the contrasts and tension between connections in the ancient marks made by early humans, (particularly in the areas of my ethnic roots in northern Europe), in Nature’s own mark-making and shape-making (such as the Hoodoos), and in modern human’s use of new technologies in image making.