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| Jo-Anne Harder, (057) Untitled, 2011, Steel, 8.5" x 23.5" |
I was first introduced to the work of Jo-Anne Harder in the fall of 2008 after moving to Guelph from Montreal when Judith Nasby, the director of the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre, invited me to attend their annual fundraiser Beyond the Frame (their next is Saturday, November 12th, 2011). In amongst a selection of work by regional talents, I spotted a freestanding metal sculpture that piqued my curiosity. Half a year later, at an Elora Centre for the Arts auction, I bid on and wound up taking home my first Jo-Anne Harder wall-mounted sculpture titled Circle and Square. This piece attracted me because of its clean lines and finely detailed construction, however it wasn’t until my father (Av Isaacs of Toronto’s Isaacs Gallery) and I attended Landmarks, her 2010 survey exhibition at the ECFTA, that I really fell hard! The depth of the work, the manipulation of the metals, the painterly aesthetic, the innovative application of colour, the etched textures and lined surfaces, and the vast number of pieces took us by surprise. I decided, then and there, that this was an artist I would like to get to know and eventually work with either as an independent curator, an art consultant, and/or a gallery owner.
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Jo-Anne Harder, (053) Untitled,
2011, Steel, 13"x 22" |
Like Montreal artist René Pierre Allain, Harder takes metal to another level. Although using materials that might have previously boxed her into a specific category, the work she produces follows no recognizable or exploited trend, therefore positioning itself comfortably within the all-encompassing world of contemporary art. Predominantly minimalist and almost architectural in her approach, the subsequent emotive and narrative dialogue that results makes Harder’s work strong. She holds her own on a wall by herself or alongside abstractionists Ron Shuebrook and Stu Oxley (both regional artists who have achieved national and international recognition), as well as representational greats such as Tony Scherman.Magnetically similar to well-crafted pop songs with contagious melodies and smart lyrics, Harder’s work attracts a wide and intelligent audience. This may be in part due to her
inviting aesthetic but I think it’s mostly the underlying meaning (whether conscious or subconscious) and the lasting message. The viewer is invited to individually interpret each work, on his or her own terms, through his or her own experiences, coming away fulfilled. When you look at the work from any angle, light, or perspective, you will discover something different. Harder is a curator and collector’s dream, creating links between different medias and genres of work, making exhibitions cohesive, and unifying collections.
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Jo-Anne Harder, (056) Shelf IV (Series) 2011, mixed metals, 14" x 3" |
I’m certain that you will fall, just as hard as I did, for the work of Jo-Anne Harder and invite you to view twelve new pieces featured in the upcoming exhibition, Metal and Paint, opening Saturday, November 12th from 2-6pm at renann isaacs contemporary art in downtown Guelph. The show runs until January 14th, 2012, and includes new paintings by artist Chris Ahlers (the owner of Wyndham Art Supplies, who resides in Guelph and shares a studio with his wife Tammy Ratcliff), sculptures and encaustic paintings by Toronto artist Ron Eady (who recently re-located to Hamilton), and painted paper and wood panels on steel constructions by Montreal artist René Pierre Allain (who currently resides in New York City).
From works on paper and canvas, to wood and steel, Metal and Paint pulls these four remarkable artists together and shouldn’t be missed!
