Monica donates part of her proceeds to the Brooke Foundation in the UK and to the SPCA in Vancouver, to assist cats, dogs, horses and donkeys in need. She donates art work to the Children’s Heart Foundation, Lions Gate Hospital, BC Cancer Society, Loving Spoonful, Museum of Northwest Art, The Nature Trust of BC, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Vancouver Aquarium, among others.
- Artist Statement
I am a mixed media artist based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Drawing on my background in science, I create evocative and purposely imperfect paintings inspired by nature’s geometric patterns, patinas, time-worn layers of archaeological sites and the amazing colours of dawn and dusk. The contrasting nature of the organic and its window to dream-like places, fascinate me. My paintings reflect the scope of imagery viewed from the vastness of space or through the lens of a microscope.
I use mixed media for its capacity to reach beyond the visual, to more tactile and tangible processes. I invite the viewer to come closer to observe layers, ridges, cracks, textures and pigments throughout my work, much like novels, they hint at layers of meaning.
Painting in the abstract genre challenges me to represent reality in a veiled, enigmatic, and intriguing way. My work resides between abstraction nearing representation and representation nearing abstraction. This artistic process is one of constant discovery and conversation – the painting speaks, telling me what it needs, and I respond. There is a freedom to intuitively transform what I see and feel onto the canvas.
Texture and light are two key elements in my work, as I aim to blur the line between painting and sculpture, inviting touch. In my abstracts I integrate natural and man-made materials including recycled metals and pigments ranging in colours from deep Sienna’s, to deep blues, and teals mixed with hints of black, including metal rust patinas which fascinate me.
My paintings are continuously evolving as I work through, adding many layers and glazes, sometimes a bit of gold or silver leaf. Each layer of colour and medium is partially revealed, building a luminous quality.
Asian symbolism has a presence in my paintings as I seek to incorporate the five elements of Japanese philosophy: Earth, using stone or gravel; Water, using texture, or depth in colour layering; Fire, depicting bright colours and light using gold or silver gild; Wind, mimicking its movement via brushstrokes; and Void (meaning “sky” or “Heaven”), creating an atmospheric effect via numerous transparent layers.
I curate combinations of materials and techniques to abstract reality, telling a story to elicit an intimate aesthetic and emotional response. To experience this fully, the viewer must enter the multiple layers, shades and textures of my work, and be seduced into a visual and visceral encounter – a holistic meeting of minds between artist and viewer, inspiring self-discovery, empathy, meditation and mindfulness.
The beauty, force and energy of water and its associated reflective light have always drawn me in as a scientist and as an artist. This connection I have with water its associated reflections, and the amazing colours, hues of dawn and dusk is what has inspired my newest collection of work.
These pieces are a homage to the natural beauty and emotional energy that all water bodies including oceans, rivers and lakes have.
Each viewer sees something different in the final art work, for this reason I do not sign my paintings to allow the person to hang the painting in the orientation it speaks to them. Each piece is signed at the back.
“Working with texture and layers in my mixed media paintings gives me an opportunity to express nature in an abstract way, to encourage the viewer to be moved by its beauty, and to create a mood that will seduce the eye and inspire the spirit.” Monica Gewurz
- CV- Monica Gewurz
EDUCATION
BSc. and Master in Landscape Architecture Guelph University
Emily Carr University, Fine Art Certificate (2014)
Advanced Study Certificate-Painting (2018)
Pacific Northwest School of Art Whidbey WA Nihonga workshop- Judith Kruger (2018)
GALLERY REPRESENTATION
Ukama Gallery representation of selected works, Granville Island, ongoing
The Gallery at Mattick’s Farm, Victoria-Vancouver Island, ongoing
The Kube Gallery, Fort Langley, ongoing
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2018
Winner of the Lions Bay banner contest, Lions Bay, BC
Winner of the international the Gallery 105 “International Seascapes Contest” virtual contest Video #2, UK
3rd Place Artist in the APERO’s international magazine September Issue “Gather” with my acrylic mixed media “ Exposed “, California, US
Sunshine Coast Art Council, “Trashform”, group artist exhibit, Sechelt, BC (professionally-curated show in a public gallery received artists fees)
International Artists Gallery group artist exhibit, International Village, Vancouver, BC
Britannia Mine, “Picks and Pixels”, group artist exhibit, Britannia, BC
Art! Vancouver International Art Show, Vancouver, BC
West Vancouver City Hall, “Earth-Wind-Water and Fire” solo exhibit, Vancouver, BC
Silk Purse Gallery-West Vancouver, “Local Artists Local Scenes”, group artist exhibit, West Vancouver, BC
North Vancouver Art Council Art in the Garden group artist exhibit, Vancouver, BC
Scott Milo Gallery- Bellingham Washington, group artist exhibit, Anacortes, WA
CityScape Community Art Gallery, “Journey of the Salmon” group artist exhibit, Vancouver, BC
Silk Purse Gallery-West Vancouver, “Remixing”, group artist exhibit, Vancouver, BC
Painter’s Lodge, A World About Art Exhibit “Winterland”, group artist exhibit, Campbell River, BC
2017
Sooke Harbour House Gallery, Sooke, Vancouver Island, BC
Harmony Festival Art Beat, Vancouver, BC
Federation of Canadian Artists Landscape exhibit Federation Gallery, Vancouver, BC
Sidney and Gertrude Zack gallery, Community Art exhibit, Vancouver, BC
Burnaby Arts Council “Luminescence”, group artist exhibit, Deer Lake Gallery, Burnaby, BC
Ferry Building Gallery and West Vancouver City Hall, solo exhibit, Vancouver, BC
Anonymous Art Show, CityScape Gallery, Vancouver, BC
2016
Circle Craft Christmas Market (booth display), Vancouver, BC
Federation of Canadian Artists “10 square show”, Vancouver, BC
Sidney and Gertrude Zack gallery, Community Art Show and Gallery Benefit, Vancouver, BC
Harmony Festival “Art Beat”, Vancouver, BC
Museum of Northwest Art (MONA) annual juried fundraiser, La Conner, WA
Art! Vancouver International Group exhibit, Vancouver BC
Sidney and Gertrude Zack gallery, ‘Festival Ha’Rikud – A Tapestry of Cultures’ group exhibit, Vancouver, BC
Ron Andrews Gallery group exhibit, Vancouver, BC
Children Heart Network silent auction fundraiser, Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Aquarium Annual Gala Fundraiser, Vancouver, BC
Ferry Building Gallery Group Show, “Love in any Language” group art exhibit, Vancouver, BC
Seymour Art Gallery, Discovery-Line group art exhibit, Vancouver, BC (professionally-curated show in a public gallery received artists fees)
2015
Canadian Aboriginal Mining Conference, Vancouver, BC
Federation of Canadian Artists juried group show “Muse”, Vancouver, BC
Harmony Festival “Art Beat”, Vancouver, BC
Britannia Mine Museum “No Future without Past”, Britannia, BC
Museum of Northwest Art (MONA) La Conner, WA
Children Heart Network silent auction fundraiser, Vancouver, BC
Ferry Building Gallery – Sea to Sky studio tour, West Vancouver, BC
Commercial commission for an international hotel, “A Blissful Moment” a mixed media and acrylic paint on canvas 7’x 4’, Guangdong, China
Lions Bay Art in the Garden – jewelry and paintings exhibit, Lions Bay, BC
Northshore Art Crawl, Lions Bay, BC
Federation of Canadian Artists –Active members painting show, Vancouver, BC
Federation of Canadian Artists- Landscape juried show, Vancouver, BC
Seymour Art Gallery, Discovery-Fire painting show, North Vancouver (professionally-curated show in a public gallery received artists fees)
Incite 3: “The Art of Storytelling” “Turquoise Rock-Mazel Tov” published by North Light books as an example of the best of mixed media
2014
Federation of Canadian Artists –Active members painting show, Vancouver, BC
Federation of Canadian Artists- 10 square show, Vancouver, BC
Seymour Art Gallery, Discovery-Air painting show, Vancouver, BC
Splash Arts Umbrella fundraiser (jewelry only), Vancouver, BC
Sidney and Gertrude Zack gallery “Envisioning Women”, Vancouver, BC
Circle Craft Summer Market, Vancouver, BC
Children Heart Network silent auction fundraiser, Vancouver, BC
Silk Purse Gallery non-juried show “Rebirth and Renewal”, Vancouver, BC
Federation of Canadian Artists- Abstract show, Vancouver, BC
CityScape Community Art Space NVAC Art rental, Vancouver, BC
CityScape Community Art Space Anonymous Show, Vancouver, BC
Harmony Art Festival, Pacific Arbour Group Exhibition, Vancouver, BC
Circle Craft Summer Market, Vancouver, BC
The Earring Show Craft Council of BC juried show, Vancouver, BC
Northshore Art Crawl, North Vancouver, BC
Ferry Building juried jewelry show “The Great Stuff”, Vancouver, BC
Amelia Douglas Gallery (professionally-curated show in a public gallery received artists fees)
2013
Seymour Art Gallery, fundraising show, North Vancouver, BC
Sea to Sky studio tour, Lions Bay, BC
Ferry Building Gallery Group Show “Abstract Narratives”, Vancouver, BC
Lions Bay Art in the Garden – jewelry and paintings exhibit, Lions Bay, BC
Harmony Art Festival “Pacific Arbour Group Exhibition”, Vancouver, BC
Harmony Art Festival “Grand Prix Plen Air Challenge”- painting competition, Vancouver, BC
Circle Craft “Summer Market 2013” – jewelry and paintings exhibit, Vancouver, BC
CityScape Community Art Space NVAC Anonymous show paintings sale, Vancouver, BC
CityScape Community Art Space NVAC Art rental, Vancouver, BC
NSAG Annual Fine Arts Sale, Vancouver, BC
2012
Lions Bay Art Council “Arts and Garden Festival” – jewelry and paintings exhibit
Ferry Building Gallery “The Great Stuff” – jewelry exhibit, Vancouver, BC
Harmony Arts “Pacific Arbour Group Painting Show”, Vancouver, BC
Harmony Arts “Grand Prix Plen Air Challenge” 3rd place honorary mention – painting competition, Vancouver, BC
CityScape Community Art Space- The Anonymous Art Show – paintings exhibit, Vancouver, BC
Juried Donations and Selected Public Collections
Lions Gate Hospital Foundation juried permanent collection; (“Cinder Moon” and “Shannon Fall I”)
Vancouver General Hospital juried permanent collection; (“Atlantis VII”) and (“A Blissful Sunset”)
Union Gospel Mission juried permanent collection; (“Ebb and Flow III” and “Blue Cenote”)
Vancouver Aquarium Annual Gala; (“Ebb and Flow V, VII and XII) and (“Shannon Falls”)
Children Heart Network; (“I am Woman”)
BC Cancer Society; (“Turquoise and Gold”)
The Nature Trust of BC; (“Maple Ikebana” and “Reflections at Dusk”)
The Pacific Salmon Foundation; (“Blue Sunset” and “Homecoming”)
Women in Mining; (“Squamish Rock” and “On the Rocks I”)
Awards-Press Releases
2018: Jewish Independent Article as part of Arts! Vancouver, March 10, Vancouver, BC
2018: Chinese Community Newspaper article as parts of Art Fusion 2018, Vancouver, BC
2018: Arts! Vancouver main catalogue, Vancouver, BC
2018: Living Legacies – A Collection of Narratives by Contemporary Canadian Jewish Women, -Volume VII edited by Liz Pearl, PK Press, Toronto, Canada.
2018: Winner of the Lions Bay banner contest, Lions Bay, BC
2018: Slow Clothes-Harmony Art Festival featured one of my sculptural wearable necklaces in their promotional poster, Vancouver, BC
2018: 3rd Place Artist in the APERO’s international magazine and showcased in their September issue “Gather” with my acrylic mixed media “Exposed “, California US.
2018: Juried to be showcased in the APERO’s international magazine October issue “Color” with my acrylic mixed media “Luminescence 2”, California US.
2018: Winner (1/15 artists2018) of the international the Gallery 105 UK, “International Seascapes Contest” Video 2-virtual contest, UK.
2017: Museum of Northwest Art gala catalogue, La Conner WA
2017: CARFAC- Artist of the month, Ottawa, ON
2017: Ferry Building Gallery Artist of the Month article, June 11-17, Vancouver, BC
2016: Northshore News- Harmony Arts Festival, Vancouver, BC
2016: Museum of Northwest Art gala catalogue, La Conner WA
2016: CARFAC newsletter Artist of the Month article, May 12, Ottawa, ON
2015: Northshore News- Harmony Arts Festival, Vancouver, BC
2015: Museum of Northwest Art gala catalogue, La Conner, WA
2015: Art! Vancouver main catalogue, Vancouver, BC
2013: Incite 3- “The Art of Storytelling” featuring “Turquoise Rock-Mazel Tov” published by North Light books as an example of the best of mixed media in North America.
2012: Northshore News- Article as part of the Harmony Arts Festival, Vancouver, BC