By Allison Wilton
Dina Vescio of the Ottawa Art Gallery has spent the last four months organizing one of her very first art exhibition. She spoke to artist upon artist and went through painting after painting, and sculpture after sculpture.
With roughly a week to go until the opening of the show the walls and tables are adorned with landscapes and abstracts, photographs and vases, even mosaics and jewelry.
But this exhibition isn’t like most art shows. This one, entitled, Who’s Next? Who’s Next? exclusively focuses on young and emerging artists from Ottawa.
Furthermore, Who’s Next? Who’s Next? exclusively features the work of over 20 artists who graduated from the visual arts department at the University of Ottawa in May and whovolunteered to help Vescio put it all together.
According to Vescio, also one of the recent graduates, the exhibition is intended to help jumpstart their young careers and prove that emerging artist are alive and well in the capital.
“I’ve been working at the gallery since I graduated and I thought I would use my connections to put a show together,” says Vescio, “The gallery was really supportive of my idea and wanted to do everything they could to help promote emerging artists from Ottawa’s local scene.”
Aptly named, this show could identify which artists are next in line, in terms of the success they may encounter in their futures, says Vescio.
“Who was it that determined Picasso would be the next famous artist?” asks Vescio. “Who is it then, at the present time, who determines what piece of art is better than another?”
Sean Claessen is just one of the many artists featured in the exhibition and has submitted two pieces.
In one of Claessen’s unique contributions he used enamel paint on sheets of metal to create a silver image that vividly resembles a pencil sketch of a young boy looking rather innocent and alone. The piece, entitled Words in His Mouth is sealed with a thick wax coating on top of it.
But is the transition from student to full-time artist intimidating?
“No, not at all. It’s actually more encouraging,” says Claessen who already organized a few, small art exhibits of his own, in business offices and a café. “More venues are needed though,” he added.
The current climate of the local arts community is improving and becoming more welcoming to young artists says Tibor Egervari, chair of the visual arts department at the University of Ottawa, and former teacher to a number of the artists involved in Who’s Next? Who’s Next?
“It’s always difficult to gain exposure, especially in Ottawa with the National gallery etc. It takes time, which is simply a result of today’s rather organized world,” says Egervari.
“It’s not like the days of revolutions when young people made it to the top very quickly. Presently there is a hierarchy in place that is very difficult to break into, but if, in spite of that, young artists have exhibitions, it shows that there is some flexibility within that hierarchy.”
Egervari, eagerly anticipates a successful running of the Who’s Next? Who’s Next? exhibition and says it’s existence would be beneficial for any young artist.
“The ultimate goal as an artist is to share your creations with other people,” says Egervari. “It is very important for contemporary art and style and those practicing it today to be exposed to the general public. To see galleries and exhibitions displaying young people’s art makes it all the more satisfying.”
Who’s Next? Who’s Next? will celebrate its grand opening on Oct. 3 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will run until Oct. 26 in the art rental and sales service room.
Every piece of displayed artwork is available to buy, with prices ranging anywhere from $200 to more than $800. Artwork is also available to rent and some could even see their pieces added to the permanent collection at the gallery.