Currently showing at the The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery is a show by Nicola Hawkins. The web page for The Rooms gallery says this:
Nicola Hawkins: Junkosphere December 17 – April 15, 2012
Level 4
This exhibition by Nicola Hawkins features collaged paintings, sculpture, installation and animation – all proposing a discourse on the relationship between commercial consumption and the ecological health of our planet. Hawkins studied in Great Britain and the USA and lives in a converted church in Cape Broyle, NL.
Last May, during our Annual General Meeting weekend, an intrepid group of Craft Council of Newfoundland & Labrador members went on a series of Studio Tours, one studio of which was Nicola’s. At the time, she was working on pieces for the show. I never did get around to posting about the studio visit, but this seems like an opportune time to do so!
During our trip, we got a sneak peak inside her house and work space and this is what we saw:
The house, once a church, and gardens (which are extensive), looking down from the bunkhouse (which is just plain cool, but of which I didn't take a good photo).
The floor in the front porch and foyer of the house (which was once a church).
Looking the length of the house
Looking down into the foyer
Maaike examining the floor of the downstairs bathroom. It's covered with pennies, for the most part, but also has a section devoted to coins from around the world. The whole thing is covered by resin, to make cleaning possible.
Close-up of the floor
A glass window that Nicola created and installed. The whole house is a work of art....
Everywhere you look, things in the house are made by Nicola. The quilt, for instance....
The loft in the house. There's an office and a bedroom up there, as well as a drying rack for herbs and clothing!
From the loft, the living room is stunning! Notice the rug that Nicola made, as well as the stained glass doors at the rear, also her creations.
A close-up of that rug!
A comfy gathering, with Di Dabinett making a point to an on-looking audience (Susan Lee Stephens and Nicola are on the couch, from left to right and Andy Perlis is looking on from behind).
A quick glance at another window and we're off.....
... to her studio! This is where she works.
The voyeurs in us were intrigued by the creative chaos!
Although, upon closer inspection, everything was perfectly organized!
Even the dinkies are aligned....
Nicola explaining how she was working through a particular step in a piece.
Group examination of a model of the world, created with recycled materials. One of the pieces that you can see in its completed form at the show at The Rooms and it's definitely worth going and visiting!
A surface detail of the "junkosphere" world.
And this is what the junkosphere looks like from inside!
And here we all are, from left to right: Nicola Hawkins, Andy Perlis (Nicola's husband), Anne Manual, Susan Lee Stephen, Maaike Charron, Sherri Winsor, Di Dabinett, me, Craig Joseph
If you want to read more about Nicola, here’s an article from the Evening Telegram (2009) and a bit from the Canadian Society of Decorative Arts.But better yet, GO to The Rooms and see what she has made!
Hi! I really enjoyed this interesting and visually gorgeous post. Being an ex-pat, land locked in southwestern Ontario, I love to see and read about the arts, music, etc from home. Maaike Charron is a friend of my two nieces so I’ve forward the link for this post to both of them – I’m sure they’ll enjoy it too.
Thanks Vicky, I’ll pass on the info and the link just in case they don’t already have it. It’s foggy enough here in Woodstock, Ontario this morning that the only thing we’re missing is a beach with a caplin run. Cheers!
Just saw Nicola’s exhibit at The Rooms and think it’s spectacular! I’m there this week with my grade five class, participating in the fabulous Open Minds program. My students always want to return to the Art Gallery to look at and reflect upon her work! Think we might create our own Nicola Hawkins inspired art when we return to school!
Raising the Bar Strength & Conditioning 
Hi! I really enjoyed this interesting and visually gorgeous post. Being an ex-pat, land locked in southwestern Ontario, I love to see and read about the arts, music, etc from home. Maaike Charron is a friend of my two nieces so I’ve forward the link for this post to both of them – I’m sure they’ll enjoy it too.
Hi Elaine, tell your nieces to stay tuned for more Maaike news. And check out her blog at http://bluedragonclay.wordpress.com !
Thanks Vicky, I’ll pass on the info and the link just in case they don’t already have it. It’s foggy enough here in Woodstock, Ontario this morning that the only thing we’re missing is a beach with a caplin run. Cheers!
Just saw Nicola’s exhibit at The Rooms and think it’s spectacular! I’m there this week with my grade five class, participating in the fabulous Open Minds program. My students always want to return to the Art Gallery to look at and reflect upon her work! Think we might create our own Nicola Hawkins inspired art when we return to school!