Wanda Ellerbeck

“Dirt Music”

October 1st - October 19th 2023

Opening reception on Sunday October 1, 2023

2-6pm

the artist will attend

WANDA ELLERBECK: “Dirt Music” - ARTIST STATEMENT         

Abstraction:

~the desire to hold space beyond description

~the power to resist descriptive narrative

~to invite the viewer into a liminal space which does not reveal a particular meaning but offers the opportunity for the viewer to search and find their own

‘DIRT MUSIC’ is a body of work inspired by the poetry of T.L.Murphy, my partner and Canmore’s last Poet Laureate.  Dirt in this case is all that we stand on and all that we carry. Beautiful and ‘not’ it is what is embedded in the earth and the self through the passage of time.  Earth/land holds the dirt, recycles it, heaves it up reshaped by its power and force - its song. Life process shapes us as we shape life, changing, bending and recording it in our selves - our note in the song.

I see each painting also like a note-like self - the sound which remains hidden until the voice speaks and the painting is painted. My painting process reflects the constant scraping, sanding, repainting and recycling of my own voice - as I  interact with and listen to the emerging work. Elements of visual language guide and gain power as I work from a place of not knowing to uncover that  which sits right. “make the first stroke and then follow it”. Abstraction and exploration are fundamental to this process. I am interested in how a painting feels - its relationship to both the outer and inner space.

Obviously a life long process these paintings are a moment on the way.

I  gratefully live, work and play on the land of the Treaty 7 people. I acknowledge the past, present and future generations of Stoney Nakoda (Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney),  Blackfoot Confederacy  (Kainai, Pikani, and Siksika) , Ktunaxa, and Tsuut’ina Nations, and Me`tis : Region 3.”

~Wanda Ellerbeck

WANDA ELLERBECK - BIOGRAPHY 2023

I am an artist living and working in Canmore, Alberta. My artistic practise has covered four decades and includes the disciplines of sculpture, painting, drawing and dance. In addition, I have operated an architectural concrete design business with a focus on custom design items. As well as a Canadian wide exhibition record, I have taught extensively in post secondary institutions in Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver and now in my community.

My education includes an undergraduate degree from (formerly) Alberta College Of Art and Design, Emily Carr College of Art and Design, with an MFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.

Currently my interest lies within the form of Abstract Landscape painting and related sculpture. I have a profound respect and connection to the land around me and to my community which I value greatly. I have been fortunate in receiving grants and awards from both the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, The Canada Council and various scholarships thoughout my career.