Growth Cycles: Observing Weeds and Wild Plants
Paintings by Dorothy Doherty
May 28 - August 29, 2021
Artist Statement
This exhibition features key aspects of my exploration of vegetation in the Britannia area, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In these days of global change, it is important to protect and record our natural landscape and the plants that grow there before they become buried in concrete and asphalt, like the fate of many urban gardens – before the old gardens are gone forever.
With these thoughts in mind I undertook the challenge of creating artwork from local gardens, and weeds that grow in difficult places. They often grow together. Photographing the plants was satisfying. Translating the images into art was a challenge.
Realistic photographic montages need little explanation in conveying meaning and form. Conversely, some of the painted images may cause one to reflect on the meaning of the work, as some of the forms appear as empty spaces or silhouettes where details would normally be found. Since it is difficult to convey some of the deeper issues around plant habitat, certain images suggest what life might be like with the absence of plants. Others show impressions from the edge of the forest, or the place where the urban meets the natural world.
Bio
Dorothy Doherty received her art education from Vancouver School of Art (currently Emily Carr University of Art + Design) and Capilano University. She holds an MA in History in Art (University of Victoria) and a PDP (Simon Fraser University). She is a life-long resident of British Columbia, Canada, spending the majority of her life in and around Vancouver, BC.
Social Media
Website: dorothydoherty.net
Instagram: @dorothydohertyart
Twitter: @DorothyDoherty1
This exhibition features key aspects of my exploration of vegetation in the Britannia area, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In these days of global change, it is important to protect and record our natural landscape and the plants that grow there before they become buried in concrete and asphalt, like the fate of many urban gardens – before the old gardens are gone forever.
With these thoughts in mind I undertook the challenge of creating artwork from local gardens, and weeds that grow in difficult places. They often grow together. Photographing the plants was satisfying. Translating the images into art was a challenge.
Realistic photographic montages need little explanation in conveying meaning and form. Conversely, some of the painted images may cause one to reflect on the meaning of the work, as some of the forms appear as empty spaces or silhouettes where details would normally be found. Since it is difficult to convey some of the deeper issues around plant habitat, certain images suggest what life might be like with the absence of plants. Others show impressions from the edge of the forest, or the place where the urban meets the natural world.
Bio
Dorothy Doherty received her art education from Vancouver School of Art (currently Emily Carr University of Art + Design) and Capilano University. She holds an MA in History in Art (University of Victoria) and a PDP (Simon Fraser University). She is a life-long resident of British Columbia, Canada, spending the majority of her life in and around Vancouver, BC.
Social Media
Website: dorothydoherty.net
Instagram: @dorothydohertyart
Twitter: @DorothyDoherty1
Click on image to see full piece. All images © Dorothy Doherty
