the quiet rebuild

Fall Harcourt House Artist in Residence Update

October 17, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Artist in Residence, Gallery Openings, Photography Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

“The Quiet Rebuild” – my art show at the culmination of my year as Artist in Residence at Harcourt House Gallery and Artist Run Centre – officially opens in exactly one week! I can hardly believe it! The year has gone by so quickly and I have cherished every precious moment of it.

Photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

My studio has undergone massive transformations as well. I started my residency with two loveseats and now there are none as I needed every square foot. If you come and visit my studio you’ll have to sit on a painting chair… but still come! When my residency began the walls were bare yet now it seems like every inch of space has been transformed. In November 2012 I set out with delicate, two foot tall wood sculptures and now have large, nearly 5 foot high, sculptures that weigh a ton. During the year I have also painted and worked with wood burning.

Photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

So what exactly is “The Quiet Rebuild” all about, you ask?

After my son died I discovered that art was a helpful tool to work through my grief and find healing. I also learned that people struggle in similar ways after all kinds of hardships and that one of the best traits of humanity is resiliency. My artwork in “The Quiet Rebuild” is an abstracted picture of my grief and journey to find healing. I also found inspiration in others who shared their stories with me from all kinds of struggle; these brave individuals have given me permission to share their stories with my viewers. The rebuilding process is quiet, unglamorous, but needed and soulful. I hope my work in “The Quiet Rebuild” will be a visual enjoyment and encouragement to many people.

Photo copyright Alexis Marie Chute

When/Where/Why/How/Who

First of all, everyone is welcome!

Opening Reception: Thursday, October 24, 2013

7:30pm – I will be giving an artist talk about my work

8:00-10:00pm – Reception, snacks and mingling

Harcourt House Gallery: 3^rd floor, 10215-112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta

http://harcourthouse.ab.ca/

WHY: Because “The Quiet Rebuild” is quirky and beautiful; the artwork playful while deeply moving and thought-provoking.

Open Art Studio, Open Heart

June 18, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Inspirations, Art Update, Artist in Residence, Gallery Openings, Photography Inspirations, Photography Update, The Yum Factor /by Alexis Marie Chute

It’s time for the Artist in Residence meet and greet at Harcourt House!

This Thursday night I will be opening my art studio in the Harcourt Annex for visitors. I will also be giving a poetry reading and doing a demo of my woodworking techniques. This coincides with Harcourt’s annual member’s exhibition; this year the theme is Kinetic. It’s going to be a great night! Also in store: a complementary BBQ on the grass in front of the gallery (YUM!) and a free life drawing workshop.

I truly love what I am working on in my studio at Harcourt House. My art is full of color and shape. Come Thursday, June 20th and see for yourself.

The body of art I am creating during my residency is called “The Quiet Rebuild” and is a visual picture of healing and rebuilding one’s life after hardship.

For me, the hardship was losing my second child to a cardiac tumor in 2010. Since then I have been slowly (sometimes extremely slowly) and quietly rebuilding my life. I have found that art became and remains an important tool and expression of my grief and search for hope. Everyone will find meaning in this artwork.

I am working with a lot of wood, both natural and manufactured in “The Quiet Rebuild.” Other materials I am using include yarn, Jenga blocks, paper, and acrylic paint. Oh and photography as well. I feel such an amazing connection with my art and am looking forward to sharing it with our local community within my studio, where all the magic happens!

The poem I will be reading speaks to the time I lost my son, whom we named Zachary. I am currently working on branding (burning) the poem onto wood panels. I will share more about the meaning of the poem and my wood burning technique at the demo.

Click here for specific info about the Kinetic exhibition and Artist in Residence meet and greet. Hope to see you there!!

This is a fish-eye photo of my poem I am branding onto wood panels. Come to the Artist in Residence meet and greet to hear a reading of the poem and see my wood burning techniques first hand.

Save the date: Kinetic Exhibition at Harcourt House

June 11, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Artist in Residence, Fundraising, Gallery Openings /by Alexis Marie Chute

The 25^th anniversary of Harcourt House Gallery and Artist Run Centre in Edmonton will be celebrated with another stellar event, the annual Member’s Exhibition. As a part of the Works Art and Design Festival, the theme and title of the show is Kinetic.

This event doubles as a fundraiser for the gallery and I encourage all to come out and lend support to an amazing local organization. I will be selling my new (never before seen) work to support Harcourt and their impressive list of programs.

As the Artist in Residence at Harcourt House, I will be opening my studio, giving a poetry reading and demonstrating the woodworking techniques I have developed in my current body of work entitled, “The Quiet Rebuild.” It is going to be an exciting opening and exhibition!

Save the date! Here are the details: