First Place Celia Britt Title: Phil's Sanctuary Medium: Oil on birch panel Size: 24” x 18”
Oil portraits function to give us a likeness of a subject. Sometimes however, a portrait can suspend us in a moment in time. There is a quiet presence found in Celia Britt’s painting Phil’s Sanctuary in the Overzealous 2020 exhibit. “Phil” stands by the fire light, his face vividly lit with warm oranges and yellows contrasted against dark shadow blue tones. This very relatable experience creates intimacy with the figure. I was drawn back to the painting several times. The technical precision allowed me to experience the emotional elements of the work. The contrasting colour choices of blues and fire light attracted me from a distance. In close inspection even a better impression was created by exacting yet fluid detail. And while the narrative of the work is about a quiet moment with Phil, it really isn’t about Phil at all. It recalled for the me – standing fireside in a quiet moment. And when a painting can do that – it works.
Second Place
Anna Olszowka Khosravi Title: Pink Medium: Acrylic Size: 60” x 40”
In Anna Olszowka Khosravi’s “Pink”, the colour and surface detail express nature and whimsy. Repetitive shapes dance across the surface creating the “all over” effect reminiscent of Pollock’s expression of nature. Olszowka Khosravi’s comfort with the acrylic medium is self-evident – like Pollock, her masterful use of surface texture expresses the fluidity of paint itself. And yet Olszowka Khosravi’s moves away from pure expressionism of drip paintings by employing more “designed” shapes allowing an interesting interplay between design and expressionism. The large scale of the work captivated from a distance while the detail kept my interest.
Third Place
Pat Dumas Hudecki Title: Adding Medium: Acrylic Size: 40” x 30”
Pat Dumas Hudecki’s work “Adding” depicts a sewing machine “cut out” from its background interior environment. The machine floats on a background of graph paper with hand written sums. A rough drawing of an archer (upper left corner) with a corresponding target (right side in upper third of canvas) seems out of place a first. There are three arrows. Two hit the target and one has dropped to the ground. Because Dumas Hudecki illustrates superior handling of the acrylic medium it is clear that she wants us to consider this element of the painting. Conceptually she is speaking about the process of sewing but she is perhaps speaking more broadly about the process of creating itself as a hit or miss proposition. The act of sewing perhaps is a metaphor representing the vulnerability of the artist in the act of creating. I found this work engaged me intellectually as I tried to discover the artist’s message. Perhaps I have found her message and perhaps I have not, but this work made me think.
Lisa Martini Dunk Title: Carte Blanche Medium: Intaglio Print on Scratch Board Size: 18” x 11”
It is pleasantly surprising to see line work, often associated with intaglio prints, presented on a scratch board. Often the scratch art process is associated with kids’ crafts. To take that and develop a vibrant display of colour and line work, is telling towards the artists ability to explore a medium. The work follows traditional imagery associated with illustration and printmaking and shows off patience and planning to create the scene.
Second Place
Nima Arabi Title: Distorted Self Portrait II Medium: Charcoal on flooring paper Size: 11” x 8 1/2”
A beautiful and almost grotesque self portrait. The bold distortion of the face and the small size of the piece, forces the viewer to look closely, as if inspecting one’s inner self and coming to terms with a conversation in a mirror.
Third Place
Mark Walley Title: Welcome to Amerika - Andre Medium: Linocut Size: 16 x 25 cm
This work stares at you and pleads of sorrow, creating a bold story. The simplicity of the single colour print is reminiscent of civil rights prints of the early 20th century. Creating a raw work that holds no unnecessary elements in its presentation, forces the viewer to acknowledge a sad truth of the world.
Category 3: Photography, Film, Digital, etc - Juror RON VAN ZUTPHEN
First Place
Nika Belianina Title: Tangled by Sandy Winds Medium: Digital Photography on Archival paper Size: 22” x 38”
The first place selection demonstrates strong purpose and artistry, which creates a sense of spontaneity, mystery, and sensuality. There is a candid feel to this image; the viewer is in the room, involved in the narrative. The soft tones are balanced, harmonious and flowing smoothly with the breeze from the open sliding door. The point of view is carefully chosen to frame the elements well, keeping the woman unidentifiable and universal, which makes the viewer a participant in the moment. These elements are beautifully combined to capture that sense of mystery and sensuality. A skillfully crafted narrative.
Second Place
Jonathan Sau Title: Icy Vortex Medium: Photography Size: 27” x 39”
The second place selection displays a command of composition, of elements of design, and of exposure control, in order to convey motion, mood, and atmosphere. The flowing lines of the water create movement and depth. They also lead the viewer through the image and provide stark contrast to the dramatic, roiled water effect of the long exposure. The contrast and use of positive and negative space, combined with the motion of the image, create a wonderfully atmospheric depiction of nature.
Third Place
Jessica Lin Title: After the Rain Medium: Photographic Composite Mounted on Birch Panel Size: 48” x 24”
The third prize selection utilizes a solid sense of design and composition to tell its story. The starkness of the weather is created by the minimalist composition, along with the strong contrast of the tree against the negative space. The overlaying and blending of texture, technically creates a tactile and atmospheric feel to the emotional appeal of this image. A wonderful demonstration of technical knowledge and artistic inspiration.
Category 4: 3D, Sculpture, Kinetic inst., Wood, Glass, Mixed Media, etc.Jurors ALEX BORGHESAN and MAGGIE DOSWELL
First Place
Chris Harms Title: Seated Meteoroid 2 Medium: Clay, ink, wood, ribbon Size: 19” x 7” x 8"
Seated Meteoroid brings together many elements of intrigue. Conceptually, the work is quite interesting, speaking towards the unknowns of the space and the universe, yet framing it as an object within one’s grasp. It echoes the drive to explore, grasp the intangible and display as a household object. There is also an element of the seated figure furthering a sense of importance. The mixed use of materials highlights the skill of the craft and the attention to detail, bringing together a variety of materials and playing with the scale of the represented objects. Together all these aspects display a merging of thought process and technical skill, converging into an artwork that is fun, amusing and curious for the viewer.
Second Place
Wayne Murphy Title: A Future Re imagined Medium: Sculpture Size: 19” x 13”
The choice of a single colour helps to create stark focus on the conceptual element of the piece. We see the unseen – barriers that are created in our made world that exclude access for some. In that way, it’s aptly metaphorical.
Third Place
A. M. Benz, Title: Data Visualization Medium: Mixed media (Smalti, dichroic glass, wire, paint) Size: 24” x 13"
This clean and refined work blends 2D art with sculptural elements while painting a picture of the state of life and our use of cloud-based technology. It is interesting that as digital technology progresses, we are in ways becoming detached from our knowledge.
Category 5 - Textile, Fibre, all Material arts, Mixed Media, etc- Juror IXCHEL SUAREZ
First Place
Eva Douglas Title: If Grandma could see us Now Medium: Mixed media Size: 23"x73"
I have chosen for first place the work of Eva Douglas with her piece If Grandma could see us Now. I believe the juxtaposition of both mediums, the concept and the interaction of both elements, are effective to communicate her title. The skill on her base piece of rug hooking makes a wonderful contrast with the image on top , both in colour and in textures, . There was some level of risk taking for experimentation, and I think it worked very well.
Second Place
Renee Sandelowsky Title: Hilde and Hans Medium; Wool, Yarn, Beads, Fabric Size: 44"x22"
For the second prize, I have selected the work of Renee Sandelowsky for her piece titled Hilde and Hans. Her composition, technique, and a sense of naïveté makes this piece stand out. The colours and the composition help bring the subjects forward.
Third Place
Melissa Patel Title: Dream Palace Medium: Oil paint, fabric, and string on canvas Size: 30" x 24"
For the third prize, I have selected the work of Melissa Patel entitled Dream Palace. This is an intriguing piece of art which calls you back. It is truly an innovative approach in composition and technique. The perspective draws you in. Her use of string, creating shadows and different textures, is very unique.
Art Consultant's Choice
Jaya Datta Title: Paradise Found Medium: Acrylic Size: 24" x 24"
Committee Choice
Pat Tadier Title: Help Medium: Wood Size: 42" x 30" x 60"
People's Choice
Darlene Hartung Title: The Book ring Medium: Books, Metal, Mixed Media Size: 6" x 6" (2700lbs)
2020 Poster Contest Winners: Congratulations to both Eva Douglas and Wayne Murphy for their tied win in our Overzealous Poster Contest. Thank you to everyone who submitted for taking the time during quarantine. It was a difficult choice.
Submitted by Wayne Murphy
Submitted by Eva Douglas
2020 Selected Works - 2020 and 2018 Fine Art Book are also for sale.
2020 "Re Imagined" Overzealous Fine Art Exhibition September 28 to October 18 at Art Space Connect Gallery 56 Neilson Dr, Toronto, ON Phone: (416) 622-5294