An exciting new show at a prominent Vancouver art gallery is earning kudos for a Sechelt artist.
Kathryn Jacobi, a part-time resident on the Sunshine Coast, is thrilled with the reaction to her latest show at the Diane Farris Gallery.
This is the well-known artist's first foray into the world of digital photography. Jacobi, not content to merely take pictures, has used the new technology to merge different pictures into one.
Jacobi, once a "technophobe," has learned to embrace the latest technology. "I mainly saw possibilities I could use in technology. PhotoShop is such a brilliant program. The possibilities are endless," she enthused.
Her subject in the photographs is Joanna McDermid.
McDermid is also making a name for herself as a dancer and choreographer. She's currently working as a choreographer and studying medicine in Mexico City.
It's obvious Jacobi has a great deal of fondness and respect for her subject.
"There are few more determined or talented in the world than Joanna," Jacobi said.
The photographs were well received by the public at the opening of the show on Feb. 17.
"I'm just so happy with people's response," Jacobi said.
Creating new and exciting works of art isn't the only use the artist has for modern science.
She also will scan her paintings into the computer. Jacobi can then try out different sorts of ideas without compromising her original painting.
In this show, DreamDance, the photographs are surreal.
"They're very dreamy, more romantic than anything I've ever done. They feel like dreams," the artist said.
Jacobi lives in Sechelt for six months of the year; the rest is spent in California. She and husband, actor Richard Dysart of L. A. Law fame, enjoy their time on the Coast. They learned about the Sunshine Coast from fans in Portugal. "Dick is so gregarious he talks to everyone, [the fans] told him about the Coast. He checked it out, and we came here," Jacobi said.
Jacobi has one son, sculptor Arie Jacobi.
Right now Kathryn is in the middle of a series of paintings she named Sleep Walking Through the Apocalypse.
This fall she will be featured in a show at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre. A long-time book illustrator, Jacobi's show will have 34 drawings done for a rediscovered book by Charles Dickens. The book, The Bride's Chamber, a Victorian ghost story, was written as Dickens was about to leave his wife of many years for a young paramour.
The book was done as a limited edition and will be for sale during the show.
After that Jacobi has a showing of large figurative paintings in Los Angeles in early 2006.
The artist, whose objective is to never be bored, continues to evolve. A look at her website www.kathrynjacobi.com is an education in itself. The magnitude of the talent is amazing.
If you're in Vancouver before March 5, drop in to the Diane Farris Gallery at 1590 West 7th Ave. and see for yourself. Jacobi is also featured on the gallery's website, www.dianefarrisgallery.com.
