Artist-Author Alexis Marie Chute: Quarantine Life Update

In case you don’t know me already: my name is Alexis Marie Chute! I am the curator for the annual InFocus Photography Exhibition. You can read my bio by clicking here.

Background of InFocus:

I came up with the idea for InFocus after learning that Exposure Photography Festival 2015 was going to be Alberta-wide. In previous years, the festival only included Calgary, Banff and Canmore. I saw this as an important opportunity to include Edmonton photographers into the celebration and conversation about contemporary photography. Thus, the InFocus Edmonton exhibition took place last February 2015, showcasing 30 image-makers from the city and area. Over 250 visitors took in the exhibit over its three day run.

Award:

After InFocus Edmonton, my organization and curatorial work for the exhibit was recognized at the annual Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts, in association with PACE Edmonton. I was honoured to accept the John Poole Award for Promotion of the Arts. InFocus was my labor of love, with my InFocus Team, and the exhibit was reward in and of itself. However, the award was a wonderful confirmation that InFocus met many of its important goals.

InFocus Photo 2016:

Moving forward, I want to ensure InFocus does not remain insular. New ideas and perspectives from across the province will come together in this year’s exhibit. Therefore, the call for submissions was extended to photographers from across Alberta for 2016. I believe this decision will set the bar high, allowing our province’s pivotal image-makers to unite in one exhibition. It will be a great statement to the photographic creativity in our province and allow us to comment on our place in the contemporary photography scene.

Why Submit to InFocus 2016:

If you are an Alberta photographer, I hope you consider submitting to InFocus. It is a great opportunity for many reasons:

Recognition across Alberta and Canada as a top photographer
Exhibition credit in the commercial gallery, DC3 Art Projects
Promote and sell your work to a wide audience
Become a member of the InFocus alumni, honoured at all InFocus exhibits
Participation in Exposure Photography Festival
Connect with other photographers and organizations
Share your creative vision and the story behind your work

What I’m looking for:

As a curator, here is what I look for in the images that will make up the 2016 InFocus Exhibition. (I realize this list is vague, just as describing art itself is subjective and somewhat “in the eye of the beholder.” Still, I hope this list will cause a moment of pause as you consider which images to submit.)

Inventiveness
Technical skill
Creativity
Meaning
Artistry

Thank you for getting to know a little bit more about me and InFocus. I look forward to your submissions and seeing you at the exhibit.

A Visit to the Art Gallery of Alberta

August 4, 2015/0 Comments/in Art Inspirations, Exhibitions, Mixed Media, Painting, Sculpture, The Life of an Artist /by Alexis Marie Chute

I love visiting art galleries. It is one of my favorite things to do. Typically, I either leave inspired or disappointed, sometimes neutral. I use the word ‘inspired’ when I’ve seen some truly interesting work that revs me up to get into my own studio, regardless of whether the artwork I saw was paintings, sculpture, photography or instillation art, – or – ‘disappointed’ because I failed to connect with the curator’s vision or the work simply didn’t speak to me.

Claude Tousignant, “Gong” 1966, acrylic on canvas, The Double Bind: Conversations Between Modernism and Postmodernism

Art is so personal. It’s okay to love it – just like it’s okay to hate it. Different art forms/artists/concepts/etc. speak to different people, each in their own unique way.

My recent visit to the Art Gallery of Alberta was a mix. The Jack Bush exhibit was fascinating and I learned so much. I’m eager to find a biography of Bush’s life. If anyone has read a good one, please let me know! The Modern/Postmodern show was a bit confusing. The description to differentiate the successive artistic periods was excellent, but I was hoping the visuals exhibited would bring the words to life. Unfortunately, the gallery room was a bit sparse.

Jack Bush

May 30 – August 23, 2015

The Double Bind: Conversations Between Modernism and Postmodernism

May 2 – September 13, 2015

If you make it out to any of the Art Gallery of Alberta shows, let me know what you think!

Have you seen any interesting exhibits lately?

Here are some photos from the visit:

Jack Bush exhibit at the Art Gallery of Alberta

The Double Bind: Conversations Between Modernism and Postmodernism

Sculpture by Barbara Hepworth, The Double Bind: Conversations Between Modernism and Post Modernism, Art Gallery of Alberta

Brian Jungen, “Companion” 2013, steel, deer hide, Audi fenders, freezer

The InFocus Call for Submissions Opens August 1

July 29, 2015/0 Comments/in Art Update, Call for Submissions, Curating, Exhibitions, InFocus Photo Exhibit, Photography Inspirations, Photography Update, The Life of an Artist /by Alexis Marie Chute

InFocus is a celebration of the best in contemporary photography. It is an exhibition and celebration I am honoured to curate, bringing attention to noteworthy image-makers and their work. Last year, InFocus set out to showcase the top photographers from Edmonton. This year, we have expanded the region to include all of Alberta. The bar will be set high as we welcome images from across our diverse province this summer and fall during our call for submissions.

The InFocus exhibition will run the month of February 2016 during Exposure Photography Festival. Photographs selected for InFocus will be exhibited in DC3 Art Projects, a commercial gallery in Edmonton. I am so glad DC3 Art Projects has come on board so our exhibition will run the whole month of February and display the photographers work in such a beautiful space.

InFocus is a great opportunity for photographers! The call for submissions opens on August 1, 2015. I hope you will submit.

Please click here for more information about InFocus.

Subscribe to this blog to receive updates on InFocus.

Wilfred Kozub Photography: Special Guest Post

June 23, 2015/1 Comment/in Art Inspirations, Blogging, Curating, Exhibitions, InFocus Photo Exhibit, Photography Inspirations, The Life of an Artist /by Alexis Marie Chute

Alexis Marie: Are you enjoying the InFocus Alumni photography blog series? Today I would like to introduce you to Wilfred Kozub, photographer and artist of many mediums.

Welcome Wilfred!

GUEST POST

Wilfred Kozub, Multi media Artist

These are exciting times as I seem to have a lot of art projects on the go. I have gradually branched out from being a painter and pop/electronic musician to becoming a multi media artist.

“Treads” copyright Wilfred Kozub

I feel that colour and motion are the most conspicuous features in my paintings. These are elements that I typically bring to my photographic images, and to my music, too. I am now applying the same sensibility to my recent ventures in making little lyric videos to post on YouTube for my tunes. An extended music-based film titled “The Weather” will come out in the fall of 2015.

“Go North” copyright Wilfred Kozub

My paintings are frequently populated by swallows, magpies . . . and electrical activity. The goal has always been to engage the viewer with interesting ideas in an accessible format – keep it simple and make it striking! My painting, No One Gets Zapped is a good example of the electrical motion and vibrant colour that I’m talking about, and you can hear its audio equivalent in my song, Wilfred In The City.

“Delirious World” copyright Wilfred Kozub

Although photography isn’t at all new to me, I have recently brought my camera into action more and more with my photographic images now sharing nearly equal billing with my paintings on art cards and prints that I regularly show at the Royal Bison Art & Craft fair. My paintings have also been displayed in group and solo art shows with The Works, at the Artery, and other Edmonton gallery venues. It was a proud moment for me to ‘come out’ officially as an artistic photographer at the inaugural InFocus show for the Exposure Photography Festival in Edmonton (February, 2015). What a fine show it was, and such an excellent opportunity to have some of my new photographs displayed alongside the works of terrific Edmonton photographic artists.

My artwork and photography frequently can be seen in the graphic design for albums by my band, Wilfred N & the Grown Men. I have come to recognize the decorative quality of many of my paintings which use repetitive images (see I See By The Colour of Your Eyes That You Are One of Us). A new painting titled Delirious World has become the centerpiece for new cards and prints – and for my freshly designed, Delirious World printed silk scarves. That image is going to be expanded and transformed to be re-purposed as the cover art for my upcoming tenth Wilfred N & the Grown Men album titled Passing Through Time. A debut solo Wilfred Kozub album, “What’s Gonna Become of Us” is also in the works, and my photograph Ancient Flowers, Rome will be the cover image for that one. Lots going on! . . . I had better get to work!

Listen to “Wilfred in the City”

Wilfred Kozub

Contact Info:

Email: wilfredkozub@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wilfred.kozub

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wngm

Links:

The Wilfred Kozub Art & Ponder Tumblr Page:

http://wilfredkozub.tumblr.com/

Wilfred Kozub on Soundcloud

https://soundcloud.com/wilfred-kozub

Wilfred N & the Grown Men on Bandcamp

https://wilfrednthegrownmen.bandcamp.com/

Wilfred N & the Grown Men on AmazingTunes

http://amazingtunes.com/wilfrednandthegrownmen

Videos:

Nobody Has To Know https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yab2dUwo6J0

Wilfred In the City https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WGA9YpxXPo

Thunder on the Tundra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVmQUZgcR_U

InFocus Photography Exhibit Update

April 28, 2015/0 Comments/in Art Update, Blogging, Curating, Exhibitions, InFocus Photo Exhibit, Photography Inspirations, Photography Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

InFocus 2015 was a huge success that saw over 250 people visit the exhibition at Harcourt House this past February during Exposure Photography Festival. Planning is already underway for InFocus 2016 and over the next ten months new exciting details and opportunities will be revealed! Click here to view the InFocus info page which will be updated regularly. Stay tuned for the call for submissions.

InFocus Photography Exhibition 2015

For now, here is the WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY & HOW for the next InFocus Photography Exhibit:

WHAT: A celebration of the best images and image-makers from across the province of Alberta.

WHEN: February 1 – 29, 2016

WHERE: DC3 Art Projects commercial gallery in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

WHY: “Photography is the medium of our times.” – Exposure Photography Festival

HOW: We will be opening the submissions for InFocus 2016 soon! Please check back here often for updates and submission details. Also, subscribe to the AMC blog to receive notifications. For now, prepare your best work! We look forward to your submissions. Email Alexis Marie info@alexismariechute.com with your address to be added to our mailing list.

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InFocus Edmonton 2015 Alexis Marie Chute artist curator photography 03 blog

InFocus Photography Exhibition 2015

Over the next few months I will be sharing guest blog posts by the 2015 InFocus Alumni. They will write about their work and inspiration as photographers and their experience in InFocus. I’m eager to read their stories!

Here are the confirmed photographers who will be guest blogging here on Alexis Marie Art:

Hedy Bach

Gerry Dotto

Curtis Trent

Candace Makowichuk

Robert Pohl

Al Dixon

Martin Snider

InFocus Edmonton 2015 Alexis Marie Chute artist curator photography 01 blog

InFocus Photography Exhibition 2015

Below you will find contact info to help you stay connected to some of the amazing photographers from our 2015 InFocus exhibit:

Hedy Bach

Company Name: Hedy Bach consulting

Website: http://sloppybuddhist.com/

Email Address: hefbach@gmail.com / hbach@ualberta.ca

Phone: 780-819-7762

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/hedy.bach

Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/hefbach

Tumblr Page: http://hedybach.tumblr.com/

Gerry Dotto

Website: gerrydotto.com

Email: gerry@gerrydotto.com

Al Dixon

Company Name: Al Dixon Photography

Website: www.aldixonphotography.com

Email Address: info@aldixonphotography.com

Phone: (780) 915 3674

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/AlDixonPhotography

Twitter Handle: @Al_D_Photo

Christopher Shaw

www.christophershawphotography.com

christophershawphotography@gmail.com

Name: Candace Makowichuk
Company Name: Sunprint Studio
Website: www.candacemakowichuk.com
email: cmakowichuk@telus.net
Facebook page:Photography by Candace Makowichuk
twitter: sunprintstudio

Brady Simpson

info@bradysimpson.com

780-655-2284

www.bradysimpson.com

Akemi Matsubuchi

company: Akemi Matsubuchi Photography

website: www.matsubuchi.ca (website still under construction)

email: akemiphotog@gmail.com

phone: 780 619-9783

twitter: akemimats

Martin Snider

Company Name: Glovebox Photography