Tuesday, March 11, 2014
More Show Coverage
Thanks to local arts journal Trout in Plaid for this write up! Check it out:
http://www.troutinplaid.com/2014/03/09/lyall-brownlee-the-significance-of-insignificant-matter
Art Times Three
I was fortunate enough to have Steve Guthrie from Peterborough's CHEX Newswatch come by to check out my show, and get me on the news!
This past Friday night March 7th was the opening of my latest solo show. The turnout was better then I could have expected, and we got some great local coverage. Thanks to Liz Fennell, everyone who came out, and everyone who helped spread the word.
‘The Significance of Insignificant Matter’ is on at Gallery in the Attic Upstaris in the Roy Studio Flats at 140 ½ Hunter St. in Peterborough until March 29th. If you’re in the hood check it out.
Here’s a statement I put together for the show:
In our physical universe extraneous particles of matter are organized by invisible forces to become the objects which form our reality. Similarily making art is the act of coordinating individual materials to construct a meaningful piece of work. In the case of the latter this transformation from erratic bit to object is abetted not just by the laws of physics, but by the will of the artist.
In my imagination I’ve constructed an alternate reality. The things I physically see, read, do; nature, beliefs, culture, social interaction, rock and roll, cartoons are all put in to a mental blender and the product is an odd illustrated world populated by strange characters, and their warped mythology. This inner universe is my reaction to the world around me, and has evolved to represent my own personal philosophy of sorts.
As an artist I’ve been able to bring this place out of the plane of my imagination and share it by forming this collection of objects that provide it with a physical representation in this world. Globs of acrylic paint, chunks of wood, canvas, bits of data have all been brought together to craft a window in to that alternate universe which had previously only existed in an invisible dimension. Each singular object an important bit of the puzzle which has come together to become, “The significance of insignificant matter.”
Art Battle
On February 20th I had the opportunity to participate in Art Battle Peterborough. Art Battle is a competitive painting event that is gaining steam across Canada. I have to admit that at first the idea didn’t appeal to me. 20 minutes to make a painting; that’s crazy! I can spend weeks just sketching out a concept. Eventually I came to terms that this wasn’t about making a masterpeice, and all the other artists were in the same vote I was. This was about having fun, and fun it was. Chris, Morgan, and Jamil from the Art Battle team were great. It was a really social event too, and I got the chance to meet several lovely fellow artists and art fans. I made it to the final round, but lost out to the talented Nicole Cooper. If Art Battle comes to your city, and you get the chance sign up. It’s a good time. Check out more at; www.artbattle.ca
Monday, August 5, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
New Work - Artspace 50/50
These firtst couple works were experiments. Just playing around with a spraypaint/acrylic combo on plywood panels I'd made up. I like the way they turned out but they don't fit in with my current project so I'll be putting them up in the Artspace 50/50 art draw.
I made these up for the 50/50 as well.
The 50/50 is the Artspace artist run centers annual fundraiser. A $100 ticket will get you in to the draw for a work of art from piles of great artists. For all the details, or to get a ticket go here: http://artspace-arc.org/content/5050-2013-follow-yellow-brick-road
I made these up for the 50/50 as well.
The 50/50 is the Artspace artist run centers annual fundraiser. A $100 ticket will get you in to the draw for a work of art from piles of great artists. For all the details, or to get a ticket go here: http://artspace-arc.org/content/5050-2013-follow-yellow-brick-road
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Monday, October 22, 2012
Home is where the heart is
When I was 17 my Father’s job took my family to the United States. Due to conflicts in the school systems, it was most practical for me to stay behind in Canada. The house was sold and my Dad, Mom, and Sister moved to Toledo Ohio. I moved out on my own and finished high school and college, in the process moving seven times between Peterborough and Toronto, taking up residence in apartments, basements, and rooming houses.
Without a familiar place I could go back to I felt like I was in a constant state of transition. I felt like I no longer had a home. So, when I was twenty-one, and after a year of working I was determined that I was going to buy a house and begin to build a new home for myself.
After a short search I found a place. It wasn’t in the best neighborhood but I fell in love with the house and made an offer. In June 2001 I moved in to 215 Stewart St. and set to work making it my own.
I decided to rent out a room to help pay the bills. After a chat with an old friend one night at the Red Dog I had my first tenant, Pete. It was Pete who affectionately coined the name, “The Tenderloin,” which my house came to be known as by all our friends.
The Tenderloin became a gathering place of friends and neighbors. It was home to a family of misfits, several of which would come to do a stint as a resident at some point or another. For me as I assume is the case for most, your twenties are a decade of ups and downs but I always had one constant, my friends and our home.
After 12 years and many life changes it’s time to move on. This week I’ll be handing over the keys to someone else and walking out of the front door of The Loin for the last time. The move is more then just a change of address and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I am a little emotional about it. The change represents a closure to a very wild and more carefree period of my life.
As I close one chapter I open a new one though, and this is a positive change. I’ve finally reached a point in my life where I feel in command. I finally feel physically, mentally and financially stable. The highs may not be as high but they greatly outnumber the lows, and are generally of a more satisfying nature. I’m confident and content, and ready to take on the responsibility of making my next home reflect this new place in life.
When I hand off my keys I’ll be acquiring the keys to beautiful house in my desired neighborhood. Like 215 Stewart, 430 Donegal is a century home with lots of charm and character, and once in there I know the transition will be an easy one.
Although I won’t be branding the new house “The Tenderloin II,” the spirit of The Tenderloin lives on as I wouldn’t be who or where I am today without it, and of course the people that made it what it was are still my closest friends and will always be welcome wherever I may call home.
Without a familiar place I could go back to I felt like I was in a constant state of transition. I felt like I no longer had a home. So, when I was twenty-one, and after a year of working I was determined that I was going to buy a house and begin to build a new home for myself.
After a short search I found a place. It wasn’t in the best neighborhood but I fell in love with the house and made an offer. In June 2001 I moved in to 215 Stewart St. and set to work making it my own.
I decided to rent out a room to help pay the bills. After a chat with an old friend one night at the Red Dog I had my first tenant, Pete. It was Pete who affectionately coined the name, “The Tenderloin,” which my house came to be known as by all our friends.
The Tenderloin became a gathering place of friends and neighbors. It was home to a family of misfits, several of which would come to do a stint as a resident at some point or another. For me as I assume is the case for most, your twenties are a decade of ups and downs but I always had one constant, my friends and our home.
After 12 years and many life changes it’s time to move on. This week I’ll be handing over the keys to someone else and walking out of the front door of The Loin for the last time. The move is more then just a change of address and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I am a little emotional about it. The change represents a closure to a very wild and more carefree period of my life.
As I close one chapter I open a new one though, and this is a positive change. I’ve finally reached a point in my life where I feel in command. I finally feel physically, mentally and financially stable. The highs may not be as high but they greatly outnumber the lows, and are generally of a more satisfying nature. I’m confident and content, and ready to take on the responsibility of making my next home reflect this new place in life.
When I hand off my keys I’ll be acquiring the keys to beautiful house in my desired neighborhood. Like 215 Stewart, 430 Donegal is a century home with lots of charm and character, and once in there I know the transition will be an easy one.
Although I won’t be branding the new house “The Tenderloin II,” the spirit of The Tenderloin lives on as I wouldn’t be who or where I am today without it, and of course the people that made it what it was are still my closest friends and will always be welcome wherever I may call home.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
In Progess...
I've been working on this piece for what seems like ages now. Lots of lines makes it rather tedious. I'm almost done. Unfortunately it is only one panel in a triptych... Two more to go.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Slaves To The Beast Factory
Here's a little animation I did for the upcoming Artspace members show Future Tense. Future Tense is part of Peterborough Artsweek and also a celebration of all things technological, falling in line with the opening of Artspace's new media lab!
The show runs from September 8th to October 27th with an opening reception on Friday September 14th at 7pm.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Treasure?
Living in a century home you never know what's you may find. Birds in the walls, animals in your basement, many years of shoddy plumbing patches. The other day while changing light fixtures in my basement I came across this small, old key hanging hidden in the floor joists. I wonder what it opens? Is there an old treasure chest buried in my basement? Anyone want to bring over their metal detector and join me in searching for treasure?
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Fixing Downtown?
How does Peterborough improve our downtown? Seems to be a pretty popular question and everyone’s got their two cents worth to throw in to the mix. He’s mine.
First, I think people have some pretty high expectations of what our downtown should be. But what you got to keep in mind is; Peterborough is not Toronto, it’s not Ottawa, it’s not Montreal. Peterborough is a city in the middle of rural Ontario with a small population. It is for the most part a blue collar town where the majority votes conservative and is more likely to be interested in sports then the arts. There is very little opportunity in the creative sector here causing a creative brain drain which draws talented young folks out of our community to the larger centers. The group of people that are involved in downtown and in the arts and in music, and that have decided to stay here, we’ve got a cool little thing going on. We’ve got to keep in mind we’ve done pretty well with what we got.
I am tired of idealists that have this, ‘if you build it they will come’ attitude that just isn’t true. If you build it, a few may come, a few may poke around then leave, but most still probably aren’t going to bother coming at all. The masses have poor taste. They listen to Nickeback, hang out at the mall and buy their art from Homesense. The champions for the downtown/independent/cultural cause are already downtown and their buying power is reflective of the current state. If you want to bring the rest of the population in, it takes more than a great town square, restored heritage buildings and some more independent shops. Someone has to sell it to them that this is where they want to shop, eat and spend their spare time. In addition people resist change, it has to be easy. There must be lots of parking, less unsavory characters about, comfortable amenities, restaurants they recognize. It has to be dumbed down and polished up. Is that really what’s best? I want to see improvements but not on those terms.
Driving unsustainable development is bad practice and just plain stupid. You have to develop the need first or else you’ll just have some lovely looking empty parks and deserted shops and cafes with for lease signs in the windows. Trying to sell Natas and Plush to a population that prefers Tim Hortons and Walmart is a pretty tremendous feat. This is a complete 180 in the culture and habits of an entire tribe of people. If we as a city want to see downtown improve, then we need to not hope to change people but to focus on developing the foundations for support by growing the faction of the population that cares. Foster the creative industry, and other industries for the matter to create good jobs that will draw in the young people and creative people with disposable incomes and the desire to live and spend their time and money in our downtown. Once that need is there, I’m sure there will be no problem finding people and organizations willing to develop a means to satisfy it, that’s the easy part.
First, I think people have some pretty high expectations of what our downtown should be. But what you got to keep in mind is; Peterborough is not Toronto, it’s not Ottawa, it’s not Montreal. Peterborough is a city in the middle of rural Ontario with a small population. It is for the most part a blue collar town where the majority votes conservative and is more likely to be interested in sports then the arts. There is very little opportunity in the creative sector here causing a creative brain drain which draws talented young folks out of our community to the larger centers. The group of people that are involved in downtown and in the arts and in music, and that have decided to stay here, we’ve got a cool little thing going on. We’ve got to keep in mind we’ve done pretty well with what we got.
I am tired of idealists that have this, ‘if you build it they will come’ attitude that just isn’t true. If you build it, a few may come, a few may poke around then leave, but most still probably aren’t going to bother coming at all. The masses have poor taste. They listen to Nickeback, hang out at the mall and buy their art from Homesense. The champions for the downtown/independent/cultural cause are already downtown and their buying power is reflective of the current state. If you want to bring the rest of the population in, it takes more than a great town square, restored heritage buildings and some more independent shops. Someone has to sell it to them that this is where they want to shop, eat and spend their spare time. In addition people resist change, it has to be easy. There must be lots of parking, less unsavory characters about, comfortable amenities, restaurants they recognize. It has to be dumbed down and polished up. Is that really what’s best? I want to see improvements but not on those terms.
Driving unsustainable development is bad practice and just plain stupid. You have to develop the need first or else you’ll just have some lovely looking empty parks and deserted shops and cafes with for lease signs in the windows. Trying to sell Natas and Plush to a population that prefers Tim Hortons and Walmart is a pretty tremendous feat. This is a complete 180 in the culture and habits of an entire tribe of people. If we as a city want to see downtown improve, then we need to not hope to change people but to focus on developing the foundations for support by growing the faction of the population that cares. Foster the creative industry, and other industries for the matter to create good jobs that will draw in the young people and creative people with disposable incomes and the desire to live and spend their time and money in our downtown. Once that need is there, I’m sure there will be no problem finding people and organizations willing to develop a means to satisfy it, that’s the easy part.
Demonic Electronic
The beginnings of the next animation project. This attempt will be done in Adobe Illustrator.
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