Starting on Nov. 27, Dionne Paul of the Sechelt First Nation will exhibit her art in the 2012 Art en Capital-Salon du Dessin et de la Peinture à l'Eau, at the spectacular Grand Palais in Paris, France.
Paul was chosen for the Délégation Amérindienne, representing only 14 First Nations artists from across North America for this invitation-only event, in one of the most prestigious art shows in the world. She will share her work with more than 40,000 visitors and fellow artists during the annual weeklong celebration in Paris.
The 100cm x 70cm watercolour painting Paul created for the exhibition is based upon an image of 1950's pin-up girl Betty Paige in the Art Nouveau poster style.
"The Art Nouveau poster is an inviting window into the painting with a familiar design format to the European audience, and the Nuxalk backdrop is an expression of my lineage on my mother's side," Paul said. "Incorporating the Nuxalk imagery within the Art Nouveau pulls both these elements together. The central figure is a stereotypical and highly sexualized depiction of a First Nations woman portrayed by Betty Paige, a Non-First Nations American model and pin up icon."
In addition to the Paris show, she was just asked to create art for the Vancouver Opera's production of Mozart's Magic Flute Opera, blending Coast Salish design and mythology with Mozart's music and story of the search for spiritual harmony is just another. Opening night is on March 9, 2013 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Paul is also currently the Artist-in-Residence at Chatelech Secondary School in Sechelt. Her work can be seen on-line at www.dionnepaul.ca.
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