Windows to the Inside - Woman Made Gallery Virtual Exhibition

I'm really happy to be participating in this group exhibition that addresses mental health concerns. It can be seen online from March 1 to April 30, 2023.

https://womanmade.org/windows-to-the-inside/

Isolation Artifacts 2020 - ongoing

 As the pandemic progressed, I delved into personal research: I began a genealogical search for ancestors, rummaged through my late mother's collection of handwritten recipes and recipe books, and foraged through family photos. At the same time, I was cleaning through years of collected papers, handwritten notes, cards, and documents. I began to photocopy notes, recipes and photos onto the blank backs of these documents. I painted some with vivid colours, others I soaked in solutions of strong tea or coffee. I didn't quite know where this was headed, but it became a mission to recycle and reuse these materials in my artwork.

Another daily activity was blind contour sketching the fresh bouquets I began buying to brighten my mood during isolation. I used these sketches as the basis for a new series of miniature collage pieces.

In this series, neutral backgrounds mirror the blandness of isolation, but hint at memories and experiences hidden, forgotten, emerging into the present. The dynamic compositions reflects the chaos, confusion and uncertainty of the time, and finally, the bright, vibrant colours of the flowers remind us of the joys of new discoveries: new or renewed interests, friendships, relationships, awareness, and meaningful moments of resilience and joy. 

The pandemic returned us, for a short time, to simpler lives, to shared experiences, to historical lessons. It was a time of remembering, of reckoning, and of renewal. And these Isolation Artifacts are a testament of that time. 

The following works are some of the first pieces in this ongoing series.

All images ©2022 Joanne Dero

isolation relic 1

isolation relic 5

isolation relic 11 - unfinished

Body Feelings

Inspired by Maria Lassnig's 'body sensation, body awareness' paintings, during the first months of the pandemic, my morning sketches became a journey into my body. Eyes closed, I began to draw the feeling of my body contours. It became an immensely calming practice in an unsettling time. Here are some sketches, and the first mixed media painting from that process.

All images ©2022 Joanne Dero

Neighbourhood View

 I was living on the third floor of a small Chinatown apartment building. Early mornings, sipping coffee, and drawing blind contour sketches of the view out of my living room window, then writing my response to the view, to the drawings, to my feelings in the moment. This was my practice, my ritual, before the pandemic brought so many twists in the road. 

Back in the studio, wondering what direction to take, I began a  series of watercolour and ink paintings based on those early morning sketches and poems. 

All images and poetry © 2022 Joanne Dero

where the wings grow 1

It's been a busy few months. This past September, the amazing Take Up Space dancer/choreographer Elizabeth Emond-Stevenson invited me to collaborate with her on a contemporary dance piece she was working on. Based on a short clip of a piece she had previously choreographed and was converting to a longer work, I created an art installation and wrote a poem that became the introductory performance to her dance.

I was privileged to attend rehearsals with dancers Lois Chan and Sarah Hopkins in order to see the work in progress and do some quick sketches while I was there. Elizabeth, Lois, and Sarah made this joint effort so easy and creatively satisfying. I appreciate their generosity and encouragement throughout.

We presented the works at Academic Hall, Ottawa on December 6th and 7th and were very pleased with the results and the positive response we received.

Below are some of the sketches and finished works I created during this collaborative process. More information and photos of the installation and performance will follow.

For more information about Elizabeth and Take Up Space, you can visit: https://takeupspacedance.com/

Selected sketches:

©Joanne Dero 2019

©Joanne Dero 2019

©Joanne Dero 2019

©Joanne Dero 2019

©Joanne Dero 2019

Exhibition Invitation

Stone School Gallery
28, rue Mill Street
Portage-du-|Fort QC

Gallery hours:
Friday opening: 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

'Reflections'

My series of photographs called 'Reflections,' delves into the ambiguous issues of self-hood and attachment.

I explore what reflections tell us about who and where we are in a specific moment, how we fit into our own story and the world around us. The images provide a mosaic of layers and texture.

My process is simple, my images personal. I use my Ipad and Iphone to take photographs of my reflection at home, or in my daily outings around my neighbourhood. The only technical manipulations I apply are cropping and light adjustments.

My images are multilayered, a personal and creative exploration of the meaning of identity, how we see ourselves and how we fit into the world.

 Selected images: