Chaqui’s art will be shown at the Gordon Framing Gallery this spring.
Dalal Chuaqui was an artist inspired by Centretown. Much of her life was spent painting the everyday scenes that the streets produced. She passed away Jan. 17 at the age of 81 but a posthumous exhibition is being organized to pay tribute to Chuaqui and her community-inspired artwork.
“She was a big part of this neighbourhood,” says Albert Chambers, a friend of the artist and a collector of her work. “Lots of people knew her and lots of people liked her.” He owns a painting of the Chilean-born artist called, ‘Waiting for the Number 2 Bus,’ which is set on Somerset Street, looking east from Empress Avenue.
Chuaqui was hoping to hold an exhibition at the Patrick Gordon Framing Gallery because it is located in the heart of Centretown on Elm Street, but she was never able to put it together.
When she was admitted to the hospital in November she requested that her work, which was scattered around her house, be sent to good homes when she died.
So Chuaqui’s neighbours and brother, along with gallery owner Patrick Gordon, are collaborating to organize the exhibition so people can pay tribute to her and her creations.
They are planning to open the six-week exhibition at the beginning of May. On display will be more than 50 images from her collection, including self portraits, still-life objects from her home, and images from the streets of Centretown, says Gordon.
He expects a big turnout at the exhibition because she had such close ties to the neighbourhood as well as the Chilean community throughout Ottawa.
Chuaqui left Chile in 1971 to live with her brother in Germany. When he and his family came to Canada, she followed them to Regina where she worked as a chamber maid.
Chuaqui moved to Ottawa in 1978 and was a homecare worker until the age of 65, when she retired to pursue her painting, says Aileen Leo, a close friend of Chuaqui’s.
Rosemary Kralik, another friend of Chuaqui’s, says she believes the artist loved Centretown and focused her paintings on it because it was cosmopolitan, and because it was home.
Kralik says: “Some neighbourhoods are too neat and tidy. Here people put their lives out on the street, through their markets and stores, and there are people from all different countries living here together.”
Kralik says Centretown is colourful, not desolate, and that is what drew Chuaqui to it.
“She enjoyed the multicultural flavour and the vibrant activity on the streets,” Chambers agrees.
One piece of her art is up at the Somerset West Community Health Centre. Just inside the door is Chuaqui’s painting of the front of the Centre. It was used for promotions by the Centre but she wouldn’t take money for it.
She did, however, take part in other commissions and many of her friends have bought pieces of her art, says Karen Watson, who has followed her work for many years.
Chuaqui was absolutely passionate about painting, says Kralik. “She was a real artist.”
In fact, Kralik says the only other thing that meant as much to Chuaqui were her two big cats, Picasso and Mona Lisa.
“She was so industrious and so dedicated that nothing would stop her from painting,” says Kralik.
The posthumous exhibition date will be confirmed soon by the gallery at www.patrickgordonframing.ca. There will also be pictures of Chuaqui’s work put up on the website beforehand.