renann isaacs contemporary art

2011-12-20T12:08:00.000-08:00

Come and celebrate our 1st anniversary!

The exhibition METAL + PAINT continues its hugely successful run, and we want you to see it. Featuring René Pierre Allain, Jo-Anne Harder, Chris Ahlers and Ron Eady as well as fantastic jewelry by Simon Muscat, one-of-a-kind silver rings by Lois Etherington Betteridge and new necklaces by Heather Horsey, the show runs until January 14th.

In addition to an already fantastic show is our Holiday Room, which features a wonderful mix of small work by some of your (and our!) favourites...

Drop by and celebrate a year of exciting art in Guelph--and many more to come!

METAL + PAINT = OPENING

2011-10-27T11:17:00.001-07:00

renann isaacs contemporary art is delighted to announce the opening of our upcoming show and invite you to join us in a burnished, drippy, rusted, smooth, bolted and blended celebration of METAL + PAINT.

This fantastic exhibition features a new series of metal wall sculptures by local artist Jo-Anne Harder, recent 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 arist 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, this show brings together four unique perceptions of Metal and Paint.

The opening party will be held on November 12th from 2-6pm at renann isaacs contemporary art in downtown Guelph. Wine and cheese will be served.

We are honoured to be working in collaboration with the Paul Kuhn Gallery in Calgary (www.paulkuhngallery.com) and the Drabinsky Gallery in Toronto (www.drabinskygallery.com) to bring René Pierre Allain to our gallery.

Sneak Preview

2011-10-27T11:14:00.001-07:00

Here's a little taste of METAL + PAINT!

Jo-Anne Harder, Untitled (022), 2011, steel 11" x 11"

Chris Ahlers

René Pierre Allain, Flash (Khaki) Bordered Red

(courtesy of the Drabinsky Gallery)

Ron Eady, Sensorium 2, 48" x 48"

BEYOND THE FRAME - The Macdonald Stewart Art Centre's Annual Fundraising Art Auction

2011-10-27T10:27:00.000-07:00

On November 12th - spend a crisp autumn afternoon at renann isaacs contemporary art celebrating the opening of our latest exhibition METAL + PAINT (featuring works by Jo-Anne Harder, Chris Ahlers, Ron Eady and René Pierre Allain), and then complete your day of art by escaping the darkening chill with warm evening at Beyond the Frame, the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre's Annual Fundraising Art Auction. Doors open at 5:30 pm and tickets are $60. Visit www.msac.ca for more information!

Jo-Anne Harder: Metal and Paint

2011-10-25T14:15:00.000-07:00

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 12^th, 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.

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.

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 12^thfrom 2-6pm at renann isaacs contemporary art in downtown Guelph. The show runs until January 14^th, 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!

A BLOCKBUSTER SHOW and an ART PARTY ROAD TRIP!

2011-09-17T16:07:00.000-07:00

Get ready for a very exciting fall line-up at the gallery!

Here's a little taste...

Saturday, September 24th is the opening of NOIR. Mark this date in your calendars! This BLOCKBUSTER exhibition features 20 of the finest emerging, mid-career, established and senior artists in Canada. Several of them are from what I consider to be the best galleries in Toronto. And it's all under one roof! On the day of the opening expect great wine, hors d'oeuvres from ARTISANALE (listed as one of the top 100 restaurants in Canada), as well as music by SKENE who starts spinning "underground" at 4. The show (see the attached AD for details) runs until the beginning of November.

The following Saturday, October 1st is the launch of our first ART PARTY with a trip to see the ROBERT MARKLE RETROSPECTIVE in Owen Sound. Markle showed with my father, Av Isaacs, at The Isaacs Gallery from the 50's until the artist's death in 1990. The exhibition features over 100 important works from his estate. Some of them have yet to be seen. His last show was at the AGO with artist Joyce Wieland. I just heard from clients who took a drive to see the exhibition several days ago. They said the collection "IS FABULOUS... WOW" andthanked me profusel for letting them know. If you haven't yet reserved or purchased a ticket... please do so, as seating is limited. Make sure you make it on the bus! For more information on the show visit www.gallerydeboer.ca (see the attached AD for details).

Watch out for news about November's exhibition METAL & PAINT!

See you soon, R

Opening Saturday July 16th - Wagman and Goodman

2011-07-14T20:51:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce the opening of our Summer Exhibition featuring 8 beautiful new works on paper by Lorne Wagman with glass by Jeff Goodman. Lorne has shown in Toronto for years beginning his career selling his work out of a truck on Queen West in the 80's when there was just The Rivoli, Peter Pan, the Bamboo, Select Bistro and the Horseshoe. He was then picked up by my father's gallery and I have been admiring his work ever since. He currently shows with Christopher Cutts and I'm honoured to show his work in Guelph. Lorne is known for his attention to detail and his wonderful use of colour. He is an absolutely brilliant painter!

Jeff Goodman is famous for his hand blown glass vessels which will also be featured in this exhibition. The focus of this show is work from his Ovelle series which at first glance look like folded glass. The technique he uses to achieve this effect is extremely difficult and he has mastered it beautifully! Despite his involvement in national architectural projects (he just finished the ceiling for the Ritz Carlton Spa in Toronto, and is currently working on the chandelier for the Museum House Condo in Yorkville) he manages to find the time to continue to produce these splendid works.

This exhibition promises to be magical because both Wagman and Goodman are unique in their vision and they each have perfected their disciplines.

Spend the day in downtown Guelph, enjoy a drink or two on an outdoor patio, sample food from some of our fine dining establishments, visit the 64 booths that are participating in ART ON THE STREET,
then stop by the gallery between 2-6pm and join us for the official opening: Saturday, July 16th!

What is this bear still doing here?

2011-06-24T12:40:00.000-07:00

One of the most powerful paintings of an animal I have ever seen. Normally I would never think of hanging a bear or a crow or a wolf on a wall in my home but Don Russell manages to capture the spirit and personality of each through his painterly colours and textured application of waxes, charcoals and oils like no other artist I know. So after seeing this image, I said to myself I am going to base an entire group show around this particular painting. This will be the anchor. The prized piece! Who will be brilliant enough to bring it home? After several weeks... I am dumbfounded. What is this spectacular bear still doing here? ... If you visit the gallery and get the chance to see MOTHER BEAR muin'skw in person (the show runs until Saturday, July 9th) you too will ask the same question. And if you're even smarter you will have it on your wall the following week!

Untitled - What a Success

2011-06-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

Our current show Untitled launched on May 7th and we are thrilled by its success. As the works started to arrive I was a bit nervous on how things would come together, but they came together beautifully I must admit. Untitled features three brilliant painters, Don Russell, Eileen MacArthur and Monte Burman and two amazing glass artists, Nick Chase and Jeff Goodman. WHAT A SHOW!

Don Russell takes your breath away with one of the most spectacular bears that I have ever seen, painted layer on layer in an abstract formation with encaustic bee's wax, Muin’skw (Mother Bear) is truly amazing. The mother bear takes on many forms throughout the day as the mood of viewer and the lighting in the room changes. In Mi’kmaq tradition, she is the protector and nurturer. Always keeping your best intentions at heart, Muin’skw's magic is to bring good health and awareness.

DON RUSSELL Muin'skw (Mother Bear), 2011

Eileen MacArthur has really stepped up her game. She has entered into a whole new world with the introduction of colour into her oil paintings on white board done with her fingers, a cloth and a tiny brush. Bringing a modern twist to traditional landscapes, she never ceases to amaze the eye.

EILEEN MACARTHUR Untitled #37, oil on board

We couldn't be prouder of our featured young artist Monte Burman who engages the problem of translating contemporary icons into paintings. He is slated to cross the stage at the University of Guelph obtaining his BA in studio art next week, and is selling extremely well. We have recently added 5 works from his series of Candies to the gallery after we sold out of his Beer Bottles during the show's first week. We are happy to boast that one of his paintings is currently being crated for shipping to Australia.

MONTE BURMAN A New Blue, 2011

Our spectacular glass artists Nick Chase with his Zippers, Tall Trees, and Rivets & Jeff Goodman with his Vessels continue to impress us all and provoke the question "how do they do that?".

NICK CHASE Zipper, 2011

JEFF GOODMAN Cherry Red, 2010

Limit Edition Lois Rings - get them while you still can

2011-06-09T12:31:00.000-07:00


Lois Etherington Betteride Limited Ed. Rings

For those of you who don't know about Lois Etherington Betteridge, let me tell you a couple things:

she is super human
her taste, style and sculptures are timeless
she has been mentoring, supporting and encouraging young artists for generations (sorry if I am dating you Lois, my apologies)
she is an internationally recognized artist who has made a profound contribution to the field of metalsmithing
she holds the Order Of Canada!!!!!!!!
she is the 2010 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by SNAG

...and the list could quite literally go on and on and on, why? because she is super human...

At the gallery we have been lucky to carry her limited edition rings. They are beautiful unique sculptures that you get to carry around on your finger, and they are selling out!

Please visit Lois's website and learn more about this amazing lady http://www.loisbetteridge.com/home.html

Entering the Blogosphere

2011-04-21T15:04:00.000-07:00

Entering the blogosphere....I am pleased to report that last weekend's Guelph Jazz Festival Art Auction was a great success. Thank you so much to all who contributed in one way or another. After spending a hell of a lot of hours curating this event, it is time to move forward and refocus on the gallery. The next show is in the works and will feature several artists that I am very excited about including: Eileen MacArthur who produces exquisite miniature oil paintings with fingers, cloths and a tiny paint brush; Don Russell who will knock your socks off with a 6' by 7' canvas of a painted bear head; and a series of beer bottles painted by an exceptionally gifted recent graduate from the University of Guelph, Monte Burman.

to sneak a peek at what these artists have been producing please visit their websites:

http://www.eileenmacarthur.com/

http://www.donrussell.ca/

http://monteburman.com/work/1.html