There is something Awkward at the Art Gallery of Algoma

NEWS RELEASE ART GALLERY OF ALGOMA **************************** There is something Awkward at the Art Gallery of Algoma Diana Thorneycroft’s multi-layered photographic series Group of Seven Awkward Moments will be exhibited at the Art Gallery o

NEWS RELEASE

ART GALLERY
OF ALGOMA

****************************
There is something Awkward at the Art Gallery of Algoma

Diana Thorneycroft’s multi-layered photographic series Group of Seven Awkward Moments will be exhibited at the Art Gallery of Algoma from September 19, 2013 to January 4, 2014.

There will be an official public opening of the exhibition on September 19 at 7 p.m.

Diana Thorneycroft has cleverly created a series of photographs that deconstruct myths about the Canadian landscape as a pristine and uninhabited terrain, a view that is commonly depicted in the historical paintings of the Group of Seven and their contemporaries.

Thorneycroft uses well-known paintings of Canadian artists like Franklin Carmichael, Emily Carr, A.J. Casson, Lawren S. Harris and Tom Thomson as a backdrop in her photographs that depict mischievous and at times darkly humorous scenes that are made playful by the artist’s use of small figurines, dolls and kitsch-like objects caught in strange and awkward moments.

The audience is captivated by layer upon layer with references to Canadian myth and history.

Thorneycroft has a deep appreciation for the Group of Seven and especially Tom Thomson, which is apparent in her decision to include their paintings in her contemporary works of art. It reveals the enduring spirit of these artists and their lasting contribution to Canadian identity.

Thorneycroft builds on these iconic images in her photographs by including recognizable symbols of contemporary Canadiana: hockey, fishermen, Tim Horton’s, beavers, bears and the RCMP.

Through her use of Canadian iconography, Thorneycroft has created a series of photographs that resonate with Canadians on a number of different levels.

She leaves it up to the audience to read into these fictitious, playful and potentially dark scenes as they desire.

By identifying and uncovering the layers of Canadianisms the viewer discovers Thorneycroft’s playful and daring attempts to shakeup preconceived notions of Canadian life and landscape.

Against Franklin Carmichael’s painting, The Nickel Belt, Thorneycroft presents the Trailer Park Boys from the popular TV series who, oblivious to an approaching tornado behind them, carry on with their present activities (pictured above).

In this photograph, Thorneycroft makes light of their potentially tragic oblivion and parallels the nonsensical and ridiculous humour of the popular television series.

Based in Winnipeg, Diana Thorneycroft's practice includes drawing, printmaking, sculpture, set construction and photography.

Her work has been exhibited across Canada, the United States, Europe, Moscow, Tokyo and Sydney.

She is the recipient of many awards and has been the subject of national radio and television documentaries.

To see more of her work, visit her website at http://www.dianathorneycroft.com

Works cited

Adamowicz-Clements, Sharona. Diana Thorneycroft Canada Myth and History Group of Seven Awkward Moments Series. Kleinburg, Canada: McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 2009. Print. 