Alcheringa Gallery presents Ravenous with Rande Cook and Carollyne Yardley, 
June 23-July 19, 2014.
Opening Reception with artists in attendance on Saturday June 28, 2-5 PM.
alcheringa-gallery.com

The word ravenous implies greedy for gratification or power, and craving food in great quantities. 
Ravening describes a predatory animal who tracks down and kills living prey. 
Raven the Trickster from Northwest Coast mythology is a voracious transformer, 
who initiates change through clever deceptions while searching for food. 
Ravenous the exhibition looks at our fast-paced competitive world and 
queries the possibilities for meaningful personal and spiritual connections.

Rande Cook and Carollyne Yardley both use masks and storytelling 
to voice self-identity issues and cultural conundrums in contemporary society. 
This unique collaboration between two professionals addresses global and local audiences. 
Multifaceted, mysterious, touching and humorous, their artwork engages, inspires and leaves us hungry for more.

Vatican Mask photo by Luke Marston. Displayed at "Urban Thunderbirds: Ravens in a Material World", Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. (Sept 2013-Jan2014).

"Rande Cook: Vatican Mask Squirrel" by Carollyne Yardley, Oil on panel, 36” x 24”.

 Carollyne Yardley recalls being very impressed by the Urban Thunderbird: Ravens in a Material World show at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) last fall. The large photo of Rande with the Vatican Mask resonated with the artist, as did the concepts behind the artworks.
At the same time, Rande saw Carollyne’s non-native squirrel masks at the Strangelings show at AGGV. “I saw how our philosophies lined up,” he says, “our masks deal with presenting personas to the world. We all wear different kinds of masks that reveal our status and conceal our secrets.” 

"The Marriage" by Rande Cook, Acrylic on Canvas 48” x 36”

Rande suggested they partner on a project and introduced Carollyne to Elaine Monds, director of Alcheringa Gallery. Carollyne is honoured to be the first non-native artist to exhibit at Alcheringa. “Our gallery has a long history of supporting innovative art practice among First Nations artists,” says Elaine, “on both sides of the Pacific.” Bringing mainstream artists on board who compliment the gallery’s agenda is a natural evolution. 

Carolyne spent 14 years in the technology industry as an Art Director assisting businesses with branding and customer interaction. The experience fuels her ongoing interest in repetition of imagery and popular culture. She sells her cards, prints, sculptures and hand-knotted squirrels on Etsy. 

Her Registered Trademark Carollyne® is being challenged by an American toy giant who produce 
a doll named Caroline.

Raven Remix (Concept Dress Design) by Carollyne Yardley, Digital composite on cotton paper, Edition of three, 36” x 24”.

The Matrix (Rande Cook Regalia Back View) by Carollyne Yardley, Photograph on cotton paper, Edition of three, 36” x 24”.

In December, Carollyne conducted a photo shoot with Chief Rande Cook in his regalia with squirrel mask. Her five paintings and photos of the event include one called “Raven Remix: (Concept Dress Design)”. This digital composite photo features a model in a short dress, with a Raven’s head (carved by Rande) and appropriated footwear. “I  spent many hours on-screen," she says, “cutting, pasting and blending to achieve the effect.”

A skilled and meticulous painter, Carollyne uses the grisaille technique for her oil paintings. Layers of grey under-paint are applied moving from dark to light. This gives a sculptural effect to her dazzling squirrel heads with their tactile mottled fur and shining eyes. Her attention to detail hovers in the folds of draped cloth, the carefully articulated patterns on regalia, and the sharp curves of three-dimensional masks. 

"Rande Cook: Squirrel Mask with Chief’s Copper" by Carollyne Yardley, Oil on wood panel, 36” x 24”.

Squirrel Mask by Rande Cook, Red cedar, horse hair, paint, 16” x 13” x 6”.

"Chief Rande Cook Squirrel" by Carollyne Yardley Oil on wood panel, 48” x 36”.

"Ravenous" by Rande Cook, Acrylic on Canvas 72” x 72”

Chief Rande Cook (K’alapa) was born in Alert Bay. At 36, the mid-career artist is kept busy with international and local commissions. His home life is non-stop as well: his wife works full time and they have two young children, five and two. “I keep my balance by surrounding myself with positive people and interesting projects,” he says. 

Chief Cook respects the teachings and spiritual practices of his culture, yet lives and works in a non-native milieu. “I vowed to never reproduce and sell sacred ceremonial objects,” he says. In order to do this, the artist had to invent a new vocabulary of design motifs. These designs tell the ancient stories using contemporary methods in a variety of mediums: wood, paint, metal and sandblasting. 

“My constant challenge is to think outside the box,” he says, “and break down old boundaries. I aim to connect with other artists and clients in an ever-evolving world.” 

Below: Carollyne Yardley in her home-studio

Rande Cook in Rock Bay Studio

Alcheringa Gallery is located at 665 Fort Street in Victoria. 250-383-8224.
Exhibition runs June 23 - July 19. 
Opening Reception with artists in attendance happened on Saturday June 28, 2-5 PM.

The Opening Reception of Ravenous was a lively, well-attended event. 
Here are some comments and photos that share the excitement. 

“Latté”, gouache on paper, 14" x 14", 2013.

Nick Etheridge stands beside two artworks by Rande Cook from a 2013 series. Above is a work by lessLIE called “Seeing Suttles Salish”.

Nick Etheridge is a longtime friend of Alcheringa owners, Elaine and Douglas Monds. 
He considers the gallery to be one of the best in Canada, worthy of its international clientele. 

Nick stands with two framed artworks by Rande Cook, from a previous exhibition of 12 originals. From this series, he purchased Latté and enjoys the unique mix of colours, flowing lines and curved shapes. “I think it’s very clever of Rande to combine Northwest Coast traditional motifs with contemporary themes and styles,” he says. 
He finds the juxtaposition of the two artists in the exhibition interesting. 

Margaret Horsfied with “Behind It All” by Rande Cook. Sandblasted red cedar, paint. 4' x 18", 2014.


Author Margaret Horsfield’s five books include the award-winning Cougar Annie’s Garden. Her upcoming book on the history of Tofino and Clayoquot Sound will be released in the fall. Margaret’s daughter Emma works as a summer intern at Alcheringa. 

Margaret appreciates the sand-blasted cedar medium of Behind It All. Cedar is a traditional medium but the woman emerging is strong and determined, ready to take on the modern world, notes Margaret.

---

Artist Gillian Redwood stands between “Raven Remix (Concept Design Dress)” and “Rande Cook: Squirrel Mask with Chief's Copper”, both by Carollyne Yardley.

 Gillian Redwood is an expressionist painter and gifted teacher. In Ravenous, she appreciates the use of realism to convey messages and the balance between comedic and serious content. 
The theme of multiple and hidden identities resonates with Gillian. “Our culture is full of secrets,” she says, “on all levels from personal to political. But without honesty, how can we have justice and stability?” gillianredwood.com

Linda Rogers stands with "Rande Cook: Vatican Mask Squirrel" by Carollyne Yardley.

Linda Rogers is a poet and published author well versed in cultural issues. She believes this collaberation between two artists is respectful of the past, while moving bravely into the future. 
“The exhibition is mindful of our need to live in harmony,” she says, “including male/female, aboriginal/non-aboriginal and human/animal.” Linda enjoys the mix of humour and high ideals in the extraordinary collection.

---

 Rande Cook and Carollyne Yardley at the opening of Ravenous at Alcheringa Gallery on June 28.

Alcheringa director, Elaine Monds, gives opening remarks on June 28.

Web Design, Content and Selected Photos: 
Kate Cino previewed arts events 
for 18 years at Boulevard magazine. 

She has a History in Art degree and 
Public Relations certificate from the University of Victoria. 
For ten years, Kate operated an art & framing shop.

This website and its content is copyright of Art Openings, 2009.
 All rights reserved. 
Written permission is required for reproduction of photos or text. 

---