Our Own Back Yard Opens September First Friday!

Subtle yet powerful, Our Own Back Yard is a new exhibition featuring works by artists Mary Abma and Lyndal Osborne set to open this First Friday, September 5 at 6:00pm at the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery. Artists will be present in the gallery from 6:00pm - 9:00pm, speaking about their works in the exhibition.

Our Own Back Yard features hundreds of organic and inorganic materials that come together in an orchestrated symphony of colors and textures, celebrating the often overlooked micro-elements of the natural world. Abma and Osborne have each produced rich, multi-layered works that invite viewers to share in the wonder of the environment, and to ponder how our actions impact the world around us. Abma and Osborne have created a glimpse of the invisible; fragments of the natural world that, because they are easily missed, are easily ignored, discarded and extinguished.

Recently Abma hosted a week-long workshop with local teens in preparation for the opening of 'Our Own Back Yard.' Participants took part in an ecological dig of Sarnia's Veteran's Park, assisted in the collection of soil, native plant and rain water samples to be used to be used in one of her works, on display in the exhibition.

Stop by the gallery this First Friday to experience the beauty of nature in Our Own Back Yard. 

Our Own Back Yard Free Feature Events:

Artist Talks

Lyndal Osborne - Thursday, September 4th at 7:00 pm

Mary Abma - Thursday, October 2nd at 7:00 pm

Beyond the Back Yard Talks

Dr. Gail Heffner and Dr. Dave Warners - Thursday, October 30th at 7:00 pm

Phil Jenkins: An Acre of Time - Thursday, November 27th at 7:00 pm

Artist Biographies:

Mary Abma lives and works in Brights Grove, and has been exhibiting regularly since 1997.
With numerous solo and group exhibitions throughout Southern Ontario, she is represented in private and corporate collections. Her current work explores themes that incorporate her interest in history, her concern for the environment and her passion for science.

Lyndal Osborne was born in Australia and studied at the National Art School in Sydney and received her MFA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA. Since 1971, Osborne has been based in Edmonton, and is a Professor Emeritus in Department of Art and Design, University of Alberta. Osborne has been exhibiting in Canada and internationally since the early 1970's and has shown in over 350 exhibitions. Her work is represented in numerous Canadian collections, including the National Gallery of Canada and the Art Gallery of Alberta.

For more information about upcoming events visit www.JNAAG.ca

Image Credits, Top Banner, L-R:
Mary Abma, Altarpiece Triptych detail (2012-2014), seeds, soil, precipitation, printer drawers and cabinet, communion glasses, 244 cm x 305 cm x 122 cm, Courtesy of the Artist
Lyndal Osborne, Accretion Tables detail (2001-2014), hundreds of natural and some industrial materials, wood tables, 81 cm x 203 cm x 203 cm, Courtesy of the Artist
Top - Bottom:
Mary Abma, Bloodroot with Shovel detail (2011), acrylic, shovel, lumen print, shadow box, 93 cm x 62 cm x 13 cm, Courtesy of the Artist
Lyndal Osborne, Accretion Tables detail (2001-2014), hundreds of natural and some industrial materials, wood tables, 81 cm x 203 cm x 203 cm, Courtesy of the Artist