Medicine Hat Media

The First Reception of the Year in the Esplanade Art Gallery

Announcing our public reception with artist Linda Gordon and special guest Louise Thomas for the current exhibitions in the Esplanade Art Gallery: Vision Circle: The Art of Roy Thomas and Linda Gordon: The Eye of the Heart, Thursday January 16 at 7pm.

Roy Thomas - Our Brother Wolf

Roy Thomas, Our Brother Wolf, Acrylic on canvas, Private Collection.

This large retrospective highlights the richness of the Ojibwa Woodland art of Thunder Bay’s Ahnisnabae-born Roy Thomas (1940 – 2004), from his earliest drawings to his monumental public commissions. Thomas’ vibrant paintings evoke spiritual connections to the natural world around us. In the exhibition catalogue, writer Joseph Boyden says “My favorite quote from Roy is this: ‘When I use my paintbrush I understand that I am not the only one doing the painting even though my name goes on the finished work.’ In these few words, Roy captures the spirit of the Ahnisnabae. And he captures the spirit of his art. We are all inter-related. We are all connected. We are all one family in the same boat.”

We are pleased to announce that special guest Louise Thomas will be with us from Thunder Bay and will give a tour of the exhibition during the reception.

Vision Circle: The Art of Roy Thomas is curated by Dr. Elizabeth McLuhan and its tour organized by the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

Linda Gordon - Dance

Linda Gordon, Dance, 2013, oil and glass on canvas.

Medicine Hat artist Linda Gordon’s magnificent mosaics and colourful oil paintings are based on the legends, myths and characteristics of the peacock, from Byzantine Rome and ancient Asia to Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park in the present day. Fascinated by the peacock’s form, colour and history, in these new works Gordon conveys a dramatic range and intensity of feeling through skilled and inventive design, complex geometry and patterning, and intricacy of detail.

She comments, “I am captivated by what springs from unfiltered sources – from the subconscious. Refining the myriad thoughts and ideas flowing from my natural love of art, architecture and history, and seeing them take shape is the alchemy that delights me… Creating for me becomes a co- operative venture with the subject.”

Linda Gordon experienced a gypsy childhood before settling in Medicine Hat in 1973. She is an art educator as well as working nearly full time on producing, set design and set painting for Medicine Hat Musical Theatre.

On Thursday January 16, Linda Gordon will give a free tour of her exhibition during the reception. Special guest Louise Thomas will be with us from Thunder Bay and will give a tour of the Roy Thomas exhibition.

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