By Amber Mything
One of Ottawa’s best links to the contemporary art scene is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary.
From Feb. 28 to Mar. 28, the SAW Gallery is commemorating its humble beginnings with an exhibition titled, “Art Multiples Reproduction and Fine Print.”
Co-curator Sue Ellen Gerritsen says that the premise of the show is to celebrate the gallery’s “unique heritage.”
SAW stands for Sussex Annex Works, which gives a clue to its origin. It was first located on Sussex Drive annexed to L’Hibou restaurant, a popular rendezvous for artists at the time. It functioned as a printshop and gallery.
The new show pays tribute to this past by examining the evolution of printmaking and a new technique called multiplemaking.
Multiplemaking simply involves making many copies of an artwork. One of the exhibits at the gallery called “Transformation,” by Calgary artist Kari McQueen, involves 56 copies on letter-size paper featuring varying exposures of a raven.
“We want to produce things that are a little bit different or even weird,” says Laura Margita, the gallery’s other curator.
This may explain the inclusion of Alan Belcher as one of the 12 artists featured in the exhibit. Belcher’s latest work from his “Kill Me” billboard series features the artist partially clothed with a “Kill Me” logo across his chest.
Last year, another of his billboards was banned in Toronto by Advertising Standards Canada and Mediacom for being unsuitable for public display.
But despite some media attention, Belcher’s work hasn’t caused any controversy in Ottawa.
“I’m so surprised that there’s all this interest,” says Gerritsen.
Margita agrees. She says that the whole exhibit is interesting and people should take a look at all the artworks instead of concentrating on one piece.
Other artworks showcased at the exhibition include things like a reproduction of “Dolly,” the cloned sheep, by Ottawa artist David Hill, who also sits on SAW’s board of trustees.
“I think (the gallery) is an important place for art to be exhibited and produced. I think we need more (venues like the SAW Gallery).”
There are only two artist-run galleries in the Ottawa area — Gallery 101 and the SAW Gallery. The gallery has also been important for the local music scene for several years.
Ottawa resident Pam Hayes regularly attends concerts at the gallery.
“I like it because its an intimate venue. You can interact with the bands,” says Hayes.
She adds that playing at the gallery is great for bands that are just starting out.
The gallery has received two awards from the Ottawa X Press for being the best art gallery in Ottawa.
According to Hill, it allows the public to really get in touch with the contemporary art scene, both audio and visual.
“It’s a community support system. In the art scene, it’s equivalent to having a community centre.”