Norman Yates

When I moved to Victoria in the mid-1990′s I was introduced to a Norman Yates’ painting at the home of UVic professor Stephen Scobie. I remember this painting very clearly. It was yellow. Not just yellow, but really really yellow. From what I remember, the painting was an abstraction of a wheat field in Saskatchewan. Although I have never lived in the Prairies, I have traveled across the country by train several times and I have always loved going through the golden prairies. I do remember that the painting resonated with me in a very powerful way and I spent most of the evening starting in its direction. Norman Yates is contributing a piece to this year’s Art Incognito. For those of you who aren’t familiar with his work, please click here for background information on Norman Yates.

Ted Harrison

We are delighted to have a work from Ted Harrison at this year’s Art Incognito. His brightly coloured paintings and prints elicit immediate responses from so many viewers. Ted Harrison’s paintings can be found in private and public collections throughout Canada, and in New Zealand, Japan, Germany and the United States. In 1987 he received the Order of Canada for his contribution to Canadian culture. He was awarded a honourary doctorate from The University of Athabasca in 1991, a honourary doctorate in Fine Arts from The University of Victoria in 1998 and a distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Alberta in 2002. He also holds an honorary doctorate of Law. In 1993 he moved to Victoria, British Columbia to continue his painting and writing. He was inducted into the Royal Conservatory of the Arts in 2005. In 2009, the first ever biography of the artist, “Ted Harrison: Painting Paradise”, was written by author, Katherine Gibson. And in the same year Ted donated a large mural entitled “Vast Yukon” measure 19.5 ft wide by 6 ft tall to the University of Victoria. The mural is currently on display in the Faculty of Social Science.

Eric Metcalfe

Eric Metcalfe working on an installation piece at the Kenderdine Art Gallery in Saskatoon

During the next few weeks in the lead up to our Art Incognito event, I will post some background information including reference links on a few of the artists who are contributing work to this year’s event. I will post images of work they have done in the past, but not work they are submitting to our Art Incognito event (to keep the ‘incognito’ component alive).
I am starting with a friend of mine, and a big supporter of VISA, Eric Metcalfe. I first met Eric when I reviewed a show of his at Open Space (Laura) for Monday Magazine. Eric currently has work on display at the Vancouver Art Gallery as part of the UNREAL exhibition that is running concurrently with the Surrealism exhibition. Eric is co-founder of the Western Front artist run centre in Vancouver and has been an integral part of the Vancouver art scene since the 1960′s. In 2008 Metcalfe won the Governor General’s award for Visual Arts. He also shows at the Winchester Gallery in Victoria. It is Eric’s third year participating in our Art Incognito event and this year we are delighted to have one of Eric’s handpainted gouaches as part of our fundraiser.

Artwork is starting to arrive!

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Each day at VISA new pieces of Art Incognito art arrives… we will post them as they come. We have over a 120 confirmed artworks so there will be something for everyone at this once-a-year art sale!

Tickets on sale now!

Tickets are now available for purchase at the office of the Vancouver Island School of Art for Art Incognito 2011, September 9, 6-9 pm

$30 includes complimentary sparkling wine, an array of savoury and sweet delectables and an opportunity to purchase some amazing original art.

Samples of original work for sale will be posted on the ‘gallery’ page soon.

This year’s event will include a silent and live auction.

Artists participating this year include: Ted Harrison, Mowry Baden, Gary Pearson, Eric Metcalfe, Joe Coffey and more!

Cash bar includes wine, beer and VISA’s famous signature martinis!

Free parking