The REELness: Queers on film
As a child of the 70’s, I was mostly raised by television and movies. Pop culture became my religion and the wisdom I gleaned shaped my sensibilities as an artist. As a result, my paintings are a carnival of colour and whimsy. This theatricality has been a through-thread in all my artwork.
Text has always been a central feature in my compositions. There is something seductive about typography. I love how a font can tell a story with a single flourish. Vintage lettering and signage gently manipulate us to feel a sense of longing for the past. Perhaps that is why my entire art career is shrouded in the bleary haze of pop-culture nostalgia.
My "Sign Language Series" of paintings is the culmination of all my obsessions. By integrating iconic movie quotes into the landscape of well worn roadside signage I am merging pop culture, nostalgia and humour. This blend of elements creates something familiar and yet completely new!
Text has always been a central feature in my compositions. There is something seductive about typography. I love how a font can tell a story with a single flourish. Vintage lettering and signage gently manipulate us to feel a sense of longing for the past. Perhaps that is why my entire art career is shrouded in the bleary haze of pop-culture nostalgia.
My "Sign Language Series" of paintings is the culmination of all my obsessions. By integrating iconic movie quotes into the landscape of well worn roadside signage I am merging pop culture, nostalgia and humour. This blend of elements creates something familiar and yet completely new!
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"The REELness: Queers on Film" is a show of my original paintings that celebrate (SOME) of the films in LGBTQ history. For as long as I can remember, I always wished that I could see people 'like me' in movies...and that visibility for the LGBTQ community is more important than ever! There are a surprising number of movies to choose from, so don't be upset if your favourite queer movie is not represented! I can really see this exhibition as a LARGER exhibition waiting to happen...fingers crossed!
This show IS OPEN NOW at The Window Gallery YYZ (map above) -- and runs until the new year...it can only be viewed from the street, so bundle up and take a look! If you see something you like, just email me, and I would be THRILLED to sell it to you! :-)
Below are all the paintings in this exhibition, (and a few that sold so fast that they didn't even make it to the venue!) There should be all the information you meed, PLUS I have included what the source of the quotes are, and why these movies are important to me!
This show IS OPEN NOW at The Window Gallery YYZ (map above) -- and runs until the new year...it can only be viewed from the street, so bundle up and take a look! If you see something you like, just email me, and I would be THRILLED to sell it to you! :-)
Below are all the paintings in this exhibition, (and a few that sold so fast that they didn't even make it to the venue!) There should be all the information you meed, PLUS I have included what the source of the quotes are, and why these movies are important to me!
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"Quit You" 24" x 24", Acrylic on Birch Panel $975.00 Quote: "I wish I knew how to quit you" -- From the film "Brokeback Mountain", 2005. WHY THIS ONE? This movie GUTTED me......such a sensitive portrayal of a love that could never last. I loved it, and cried like a baby! I think it's an important film for the gay boys! |
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"Addicted to Glamour" 48" x 36", Acrylic on Canvas $2600.00 Quote: "I'm not addicted to drugs, I'm addicted to Glamour" -- From the film "Party Monster", 2003. WHY THIS ONE? This movie was really such an interesting snap shot of the club kids circuit. It is a real snapshot of a certain time in gay NYC. I picked it because I love the quote! I TOO am addicted to a bit of glamour!!! |
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"Can't Walk in Flats"
36" x 36", Acrylic on Birch Panel $2300.00 Quote: "Try as I may, I simply can't walk in flats" -- From the film "Torch Song Trilogy", 1988. WHY THIS ONE? My 2nd boyfriend showed this movie to me, and it was the first time I had EVER seen gay relationships in a movie. It touched me. Harvey Fierstein is a treasure. I love his work....and this movie was incredibly formative in my younger years! |
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"Sugar Daddy"
24" x 24", Acrylic on Birch Panel $975.00 Quote: "Come on sugar daddy, bring it home." -- From the film "Hedwig and the Angry Inch", 2001. WHY THIS ONE? I LOVE A MUSICAL, and I love this one. Great music, great acting, just great. ALSO....I worked on this movie as a Scenic Artist (it was filmed here in Toronto!) |
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"Obscene"
24" x 24", Acrylic on Birch Panel $750.00 Quote: "Of Course it's obscene, that's the point!" -- From the film "Better than Chocolate", 1999 WHY THIS ONE? Ann-Marie MacDonald. That. Is. It. |
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"Opulence" 18" x 24", Acrylic on Birch Panel $750.00 Quote: "O-P-U-L-E-N-C-E: Opulence! You own everything. Everything is yours." -- From the film "Paris is Burning", 1991 WHY THIS ONE? This was another formative LGBTQ movie for me. It should be REQUIRED viewing for every newbie to the LGBTQ community! |
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"Don't Dream it, Be it" 30" x 30", Acrylic on Birch Panel $1650.00 Quote: "Don't Dream it, be it!" -- From the film "Rocky Horror Picture Show", 1975 WHY THIS ONE? Again...musicals...I love musical. This gender-bending piece of cinema is weird and I LOVE IT! The weirder the better....plus Tim Curry's legs...am I right?? |
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"Cock on a Rock" 20" x 20", Acrylic on Birch Panel SOLD Quote: "That's just what this country needs, a cock on a rock in a frock" -- From the film "Priscilla Queen of the Desert", 1994 WHY THIS ONE? I saw this one at the Carlton Theatre in 1991 with my Theatre School friends. I laughed and laughed, this Australian movie is a CLASSIC, and I still enjoy it today! |
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"Hint of Colour" 20" x 20", Acrylic on Birch Panel SOLD Quote: "These? Well, one does need a hint of color" -- From the film "The Birdcage", 1991 WHY THIS ONE? Nathan Lane. That's all. |
REMEMBER....if you're favourite quote/movie isn't part of my exhibition....
I still have some availability for commissions in 2020!
