It might be the cool mountain air. It might be the fresh sea breeze. Or it might be the genius of the instructors. Whatever it is, the secondary art students of the Sunshine Coast have found something that has galvanized their talent. The Young People’s Own Show, now on exhibit at the Doris Crowston Gallery in Sechelt, shows a nimble and imaginative crew of students and a wholesome spread of art works in a variety of media.
The high quality and originality of the work from students of the Alternative School is certainly impressive. Javier Avilla’s painting, The Joker, shows actor Heath Ledger in his role from the Batman movies. Painted with vibrant gesture, the Joker’s eyes are red rimmed with madness and seem to penetrate deep into one’s soul.
Alternative student Lauren Jameson has presented three small canvases simply titled Codex. Her paintings are bold, imaginative and filled with a raw energy. They all show ghostly pale figures with the eyes covered by brash strokes of primary colour as if blindfolded.
Elphinstone student Tessa Talbot has made a beautiful painting that depicts a dancer moving with all the fiery passion of the flamenco. The dancer’s pose leads the eye from the swirling skirts on the left to the expressive hand gesture on the right. The picture is painted with beautiful modelling of shadow and light.
Dona Pazur from Pender Harbour Secondary has created a portrait of her pug dog in the style of the Fauves. This painting is a masterpiece of blending from yellow to green to blue-green to black.
Chatelech grade 12 student Sara Longman created a stylized painting of the yin yang symbol, showing a light golden fox forever chasing a gray black fox, reminding us of many tangible dualities such as good and evil, light and dark, male and female.
Grade 10 Chatelech student Emily Picard is showing some excellent fashion drawings beautifully rendered in pencil and crayon. One sketch shows a gown that would not be out of place on the Oscars red carpet.
The Young People’s Own Show is in its final week; it will remain on display at the Doris Crowston Gallery until May 31.
