Three Sisters

Detail: Blue Emperor by Linda Darby,

Sisters from other Mothers
New Works by Linda Darby, Virginia SmallFry and Jane Storrier
June 2-27 2018 at the Martin Batchelor Gallery.
Opening Saturday June 2, 7-9pm.
Goodbye Celebration: June 27, 2-5pm at the gallery.

These three friends and colleagues have exhibited together for the past 17 years. This is their third show at the Martin Batchelor Gallery. The women share the same goals: to explore and celebrate the creative life. As sister artists, they seek authenticity in their individual styles, offer critiques of completed artworks, and work together to promote shows and sales.

Linda Darby’s art training includes the Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and the Vancouver Island School of Art. Her award-winning artworks appear regularity in local juried exhibitions and attract international collectors. “My paintings are about relationships,” she says, “between the image, my memories and sense of place.”

Arrival by Linda Darby, acrylic on canvas, 24x36 in, 2018

Gateway by Linda Darby, acrylic on canvas, 36x48 in, 2017

Darby’s lively and evocative paintings offer varied meanings and spacial perspectives. In works like Blue Emperor (above) the menacing scorpion is rendered in realistic style. But the background is loosely painted, awash with warm colours and textural elements. This gives the painting the duality of tone often found in magic realism.

In Gateway, Darby presents a luminous city scape with a sense of mystery. In the foreground, vertical rectangles ascend into space like skyscrapers. Behind, a ghostly band of buildings recede into a pastel background. Horizontal grids and bands of colour make structural patterns; small window-like squares dot the surface. But where are the people? The ambiguous figure ground relationships invite careful investigation. Is this an illusionary world or enigmatic portal?

Hot Springs Cove by Virginia SmallFry, acrylic on canvas, 24x48 in, 2018

Virginia SmallFry graduated from the fine arts program at University of Guelph in 1976. She uses a variety of media and methods in her artmaking, including gold-leaf, finger painting, collage, mono-prints and oil painting. The artist is inspired by family and friends, and mixes allegorical and subconscious imagery freely. SmallFry celebrates random accidents and allows paintings to evolve slowly from original idea to final outcome.
“I now trust my own creative balance between control and spontaneity”, she says.

Mr Simpson Contemplates his Discovery, by Virginia SmallFry. mixed media, 20x20 in, 2018.

The Alchemist by Virginia SmallFry, mixed media, 24x24 in, 2018

SmallFry believes artmaking is an open ended communication, offering elements of mystery, provocation and hilarity. These elements enliven Mr Simpson Contemplates his Discovery. The questing gentleman holds scepters of power, while confronting the Greek symbol of Ouroboros. This alchemical symbol shows a serpent devouring its own tail, and speaks about life cycles, infinity and rebirth. The artist creates a spiritual atmosphere by using heavenly shades of ultramarine. Texture comes from gesso mediums and crumbled tissue paper. Marbled paper on the serpent’s skin adds richness to the mystical Ouroboros.

Strata by Jane Storrier, acrylic on canvas, 48x36 in, 2018.

Plugged In by Jane Storrier, acrylic on canvas, 30x24 in, 2018.

Jane Storrier attended the fine arts program at University of Guelph in the 1970’s. Her education introduced her to the contemporary styles of Abstraction, Impressionism and Fauvism. Her professors included Eric Yerex, Gene Ghu and Ken Danby. The artist employs concise imagery, relevant subject matter and powerful, calligraphic brushwork to achieve unique viewpoints and perspectives. ‘When people view my paintings,” she says, “I want the encounter to be meaningful.”

Forest, Tree, Trail, by Jane Storrier, acrylic on canvas, 30x34 in, 2018.

Strata features flowing and intersecting bands of colour and texture to suggest the forces of nature. The base of the painting is a deep magenta colour with vertical lines exploding upward, volcanic and mercurial. “My father was a miner,” says the artist, “so underground happenings intrigue me.”

A sunny palette and a variety of rounded and triangular forms enliven Plugged In. The circular shapes represent human beings, entwined by coiling tubes and electrical plugs. The artist suggests we are all attached and wired to the machinery that fuels the status quo.
“We are not encouraged to be individuals,” Storrier says.

June 2-27, 2018 will be Martin Batchelor’s last show in the Cormorant Street gallery location. After operating for 22 years, his tenancy ends. The present building is being refurbished. Martin is disappointed that the Vancouver developer is not interested in supporting cultural centres in the updated complex. His previous rental owner subsidized the gallery’s rent and made running his business affordable.

In the early 1990‘s, Martin worked for Grant Leier as a picture framer. When Grant and Nixie moved north, Martin established The Picture Framing Studio in the same space. Renting out his gallery space to artists, and hosting openings became a successful business model. The Martin Batchelor Gallery will be much missed by local artists.

Martin looks forward to hosting Linda Darby and her “sisters”. “They have a good variety of styles and subject matter,” he says,
“And they share an artistic history.” On the evening of June 2, don’t miss the last opening at the Martin Batchelor Gallery. Come and bid farewell to an era while viewing some inspirational art.

June 2, 2018 was a grand celebration. Below are some photos of the lively opening event.

Left to right, Linda Darby, Jane Storrier and Virginia SmallFry.

On Saturday June 16 the jazz quintet Chafafa play at the Martin Batchelor with an 8pm start time.
It's a great opportunity to view the paintings while enjoying a musical evening.

Goodbye Celebration: June 27, 2-5pm at the gallery. Come out and toast Martin on the final day.

The artists welcome your interest and can be reached via email.
Linda Darby: [email protected]
Virginia SmallFry: [email protected]
Jane Storrier: [email protected]

Martin Batchelor Gallery is located at 712 Cormorant Street, Victoria. Phone: 250 385-7919 Open Monday-Saturday, 10-5pm.

Web Design, Content and Selected Photos
by Kate Cino
Kate is an arts writer published in Focus, Yam and Boulevard.
She has a History in Art degree and Public Relations certificate from UVic.