Artist Statement - Sarah Irwin
I am attracted to organic forms, objects worn by time, things that tell a story, and people with a twinkle in their eye.
I love it when a common object becomes something completely different.
I am compelled, and indeed have been encouraged from a very young age to make something new out of nothing much. When it kept happening that I couldn't explain my ideas with words, I found out I was an artist.
I also found that no one cares if I am an artist, until I have made my art. Art is a force, an energy, an excitement equal to dread or joy, and I am one of the people who transmute this energy, acknowledging that it is a gift, and strange obligation.
I make paintings, ink drawings, assemblages, and stone sculpture. I have been doing this for 30 years.
I write stories and poems and cram them into a vintage suitcase that does not go anywhere.
I teach kids how to make paper monsters and encourage seniors to learn to draw.
I have planted gardens in lots of places, and the things I make are quirky and bright on purpose because they help to fight off the darkness. Imagination is a skill many of us are unlearning - I am in the practice of expanding mine, and I hope my work adds to the ideas of others.
I am attracted to organic forms, objects worn by time, things that tell a story, and people with a twinkle in their eye.
I love it when a common object becomes something completely different.
I am compelled, and indeed have been encouraged from a very young age to make something new out of nothing much. When it kept happening that I couldn't explain my ideas with words, I found out I was an artist.
I also found that no one cares if I am an artist, until I have made my art. Art is a force, an energy, an excitement equal to dread or joy, and I am one of the people who transmute this energy, acknowledging that it is a gift, and strange obligation.
I make paintings, ink drawings, assemblages, and stone sculpture. I have been doing this for 30 years.
I write stories and poems and cram them into a vintage suitcase that does not go anywhere.
I teach kids how to make paper monsters and encourage seniors to learn to draw.
I have planted gardens in lots of places, and the things I make are quirky and bright on purpose because they help to fight off the darkness. Imagination is a skill many of us are unlearning - I am in the practice of expanding mine, and I hope my work adds to the ideas of others.
Curriculum Vitae -Sarah Irwin
Education
BFA, Fine Art Interdisciplinary 2003 Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University, Halifax, NS
Honors, Fine Art Diploma 2001 Georgian College, Barrie, ON
Design Fundamentals Diploma 1999 Georgian College, Barrie , ON
Solo Shows
January 2023 Branches -Paintings and Stone Sculpture 14 Bells Fine Art Gallery, Halifax
March 2020 Recent Paintings The Shambhala Centre Tantallon, NS
September 2018 Poet Trees 14 Bells Art Gallery , Hydrostone Market, Halifax NS
November 2017 A Cattharsis Irwin Gallery Hacketts Cove, NS
May 2016 An Island Somewhere New Paintings, Lee Contemporary, Orillia ON
May 2013 Hammered-New Sculptures, Andrea Redmond Gallery
February 2013 The Wee Tree Button Project, fundraiser
September 2012 Reassembled, Jo Beale Gallery
June 2011 New Paintings, Jo Beale Gallery
October 2010 New Paintings, Tantallon Public Library
May 2010 the Fine Line - A Two Dimensional Exhibit in Three Places, Jo Beale Gallery
January 2009 Parts of The Process, Tantallon Public Library
May 2008 Reinventing the Imaginary Tree, Jo Beale Gallery
June 2005 Awkwardly Beautiful, Old Red Schoolhouse, Peggy's Cove
March 2004 Stoneflakes on Common Things, The Manor Gallery, Halifax
October 2002 Stones I Have Known, Anna Leonowens Gallery, NSCAD U
Group Exhibitions
September 2023 FLOE/FLOW the Arctic in sculpture and painting with Patricia Lindley, The Craig Gallery, Dartmouth
March 2023 Home A Group Exhibition, 14 Bells Fine Art Gallery
March 2021 The Corvid Show 14 Bells Fine Art Gallery, Halifax
October 2020 Stomping Grounds The Ice House Gallery , Tatamagouche, NS
March 2016 New work in Metal and Paint, Art 1274 Hollis, Halifax NS
August 2014 Earth Wind Fire, Art 1274 Hollis, Halifax, NS
June 2014 1000 Ways to Look at Things, Jo Beale Gallery, Glen Margaret, NS
June 2002 In Advance of Metal, Anna Leonowens Gallery, NSCAD U, Halifax
Summer 2001 Endless summer, Zephyr Gallery, Orillia, ON
March 2001 Chiaroscuro, Campus Gallery, Georgian college, Barrie , ON
November 2001 White Chocolate, Zephyr Gallery, Orillia, ON
August 1999 Atmosphere, Shilling Gallery, Rama ON
Related Experience
Creator of Drop In and Draw, an all ages community drawing experience. 2022-
Finalist for Kingsbrae Gardens Canadian Sculpture Competition, 2014
Former Owner/ Administrator of The Wee Gallery at The Finer Diner, Hacketts Cove
Co-President of The Peggy's Cove Area Festival of the Arts Society, 2013
Past Instructor at The Creation Station, Head of St. Margaret's Bay, NS
Past Instructor for NSCAD's Continuing Education Department Halifax, NS
Past instructor for MacLaren Art Center's Van Go Program Barrie ON
Past member of Zephyr Gallery for Working Artists, Orillia ON
Past member of Art 1274 Hollis Cooperative Gallery, Halifax, NS
Commissions
2011 Played, in collaboration with Camerata Xara Young Women's Choir, Halifax, NS
2010 Tree of Life, in collaboration with Camerata Xara Young women's Choir, Halifax, NS
2009 Mural for Jeremy's Bay Campground, Kejimkujik National Park, NS
Awards
Simcoe County Arts and Crafts Association Excellence in Sculpture Scholarship, 2001
Georgian college Printmaking Award of Merit, 2001
Georgian College 3rd Year Fine Arts Graduate Scholarship, 2001
Barrie Art Club Scholarship, 2000