MEDIA RELEASE ELORA CENTRE FOR THE ARTS
“A Moment in Time” by emerging mixed media artist Maureen Ault captures the idea that all of us experience moments in our lives that leave lasting impressions upon us. Whether that be a particular location or experience in nature, we carry those memories within us because we relate to them and want to revisit them time and again. When Maureen began focusing on the subject matter to be included in this exhibit, she thought of those experiences and places people could relate to, but in the end, she realized that it was a personal journey to those places, experiences, and feelings that have touched her life.
Maureen Ault uses hundreds, and sometimes thousands of tiny pieces of leaves, petals and other materials to create one culminating image. The Elora Centre for the Arts is thrilled to host her new exhibition, entitled ‘A Moment in Time’ which captures the experiences and moments in life that leave a lasting impression. The artist focuses on personal experiences and places in nature that have touched her life.
Maureen’s own artistic journey was rekindled during the latter stages of her hospitalization following a motor vehicle accident in 2012 that resulted in an Acquired Brain Injury. Working with traditional pressed flower art became a critical part of her rehabilitation and transformed her as an artist.
The works featured in the exhibition harken Maureen’s best memories from visiting some of Ontario’s most majestic places like hiking the quartzite mountains of Killarney, camping in the Bay of Fundy National Park, her first visit to the covered bridge in West Montrose, and lazy Sunday drives in rural Ontario. “My hope is that you will not only enjoy the pieces in this exhibition but reflect on the moments in time that have touched your own lives as well” says the artist.
With so many tiny elements and pieces and intense focus required for this type of work, patience is essential. “Many times, I have reminded myself to wait patiently to see where the layering of botanical material takes me” shares Ault. “The challenge for me as an artist is how to create my vision for each piece using a limited palette that restricts the development of shadows and highlights” she says. Maureen spends hours at florists, greenhouses, friends’ gardens and commercial flower pressing companies to source the best materials to work with for each piece.
Maureen Ault lives and works in Guelph Ontario. Her artwork is influenced by the folk art of Maud Lewis as well as the abstract and stylized form of the Group of Seven. She has exhibited at various galleries in the past, however this exhibition celebrates a grant she received from the Ontario Arts Council, which enabled her to elevate her work to exhibit at this level. The artist would like to thank the Ontario Arts Council: Deaf and Disability Arts Projects Production grant for making this journey in her artistic process possible. The exhibition will run in the main gallery from October 6 – November 20th. Everyone is invited to attend an artist meet-and-greet on Saturday October 15 from 1-4PM.
Admission to the gallery is free, refreshments will be served. The Brain Injury Association of KW is arranging transportation to and from the Opening Reception for its members, for details please visit http://www.biaww.org/a-moment-in-time.html
This exhibition has been curated by Annette Hansen, thanks to support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation Community Building Fund. This funding has been instrumental in supporting the Art Centre’s emergence from the pandemic, deepen the curation of exhibitions, and supporting outreach programs for students with (dis)Abilities.
More information: https://eloracentreforthearts.ca/a-moment-in-time-exhibition-by-maureen-ault/?fbclid=IwAR0bBB9wAp7ksvcDCsdi8ko5lxKuNHsSby4n0YeCOK1LHtGPMd6hHqk9nGM
