The DTES Says Hi!
by Charlene Heilman
and
|
Little Red Riding Hijab
A Book by Ed Walwail |
Charlene Heilman
Artist Statement
The Downtown Eastside (DTES) in Vancouver, BC is my neighbourhood, my community. It is also the site of my current employment role as a Harm Reduction Worker in an Opiate Replacement Therapy clinic. Although I am a white/settler woman, I am someone with lived experience— been addicted to crack cocaine and heroin in the 90s where I tore my life apart in the DTES, while working in the margins of the sex and drug trade. My insight into drug use and life on the streets is a pivotal factor in my perspective and my motivation with this project. My intention is always to humanize my neighbourhood and neighbours, not tokenize. The DTES is known for its street-involved, under-housed, and drug-addicted population—a group whose numbers are increasing rapidly due to the opioid crisis plus a multitude of problematic systemic issues (i.e.- housing, healthcare, etc). The writings I capture are an on- the-ground news stream, dispatches from the people inhabiting the streets, commenting on their own situations, feelings, experiences, and the effects of local and global events on their day-to-day lives. At its core, my project commemorates the historical value of dialogues among citizens whose voices are ignored, repressed, or erased within the scope of “official” cultural histories, creating an alternate, “unauthorized” archive.
I very much consider myself to be a Multidisciplinary artist. I have worked in many mediums over the years, such as painting (acrylic, watercolour) while incorporating assemblage with atypical materials, like rhinestones. I draw in mixed media and often purchase my materials from dollar stores. I have experience with printmaking (screen printing, Intaglio). My true love is with sculpture: stone carving, woodworking, resin, lost wax and sand casting. Again, I like to work with unusual materials and that includes sculpturally- candy, yarn and lard for example. As well, I have worked with lighting sources (fluorescent, electroluminescent) and have built and remodeled chandeliers.
I have always been interested in the source of light and how it can manipulate colour, space, and mood. I like obsessive, systematic, and repetitive acts. The themes in my work have oscillated between the non-serious, visually stimulating to reflections on social justice: from the absurd and humorous to dark and heavy. My one drive has always remained to be accessible to everyone.
In my art practice I have historically work with light, colour and line and I always consider space, history, and site. I often work in text; I like aesthetics and I consider my work pretty and provocative. I am interested in satire, irony, and humor. There are elements of spectacle, a party atmosphere and cheekiness in my work.
Selected artists working in the public realm who inspire my work include Candy Chang, Jilly Ballistic, Barbara Kruger, and Jeff Bierk and the following artists who work directly with light have motivated my art practice- Dan Flavin, James Turrell and Jenny Holzer and a couple artists who work with text that excite me are Tracy Emin and Bruce Nauman
Recently, I started a long-term painting project that stemmed from an extended stay in hospital where I experienced many beautiful visual hallucinations. That life-threatening experience sprung a return to art making with an intensity l have not ever experienced before. It has compelled me to make art all the time and I feel inspired to continue to put significant effort into advancing my art making practice. I feel driven to continue to make art and I’ve realized that although I haven’t shown much publicly, I cannot and will not stop making art. Presently, my ongoing commitment to my art practice includes art making daily and committing to 8 hours a week to art-adjacent work, like applying to this art show.
I very much consider myself to be a Multidisciplinary artist. I have worked in many mediums over the years, such as painting (acrylic, watercolour) while incorporating assemblage with atypical materials, like rhinestones. I draw in mixed media and often purchase my materials from dollar stores. I have experience with printmaking (screen printing, Intaglio). My true love is with sculpture: stone carving, woodworking, resin, lost wax and sand casting. Again, I like to work with unusual materials and that includes sculpturally- candy, yarn and lard for example. As well, I have worked with lighting sources (fluorescent, electroluminescent) and have built and remodeled chandeliers.
I have always been interested in the source of light and how it can manipulate colour, space, and mood. I like obsessive, systematic, and repetitive acts. The themes in my work have oscillated between the non-serious, visually stimulating to reflections on social justice: from the absurd and humorous to dark and heavy. My one drive has always remained to be accessible to everyone.
In my art practice I have historically work with light, colour and line and I always consider space, history, and site. I often work in text; I like aesthetics and I consider my work pretty and provocative. I am interested in satire, irony, and humor. There are elements of spectacle, a party atmosphere and cheekiness in my work.
Selected artists working in the public realm who inspire my work include Candy Chang, Jilly Ballistic, Barbara Kruger, and Jeff Bierk and the following artists who work directly with light have motivated my art practice- Dan Flavin, James Turrell and Jenny Holzer and a couple artists who work with text that excite me are Tracy Emin and Bruce Nauman
Recently, I started a long-term painting project that stemmed from an extended stay in hospital where I experienced many beautiful visual hallucinations. That life-threatening experience sprung a return to art making with an intensity l have not ever experienced before. It has compelled me to make art all the time and I feel inspired to continue to put significant effort into advancing my art making practice. I feel driven to continue to make art and I’ve realized that although I haven’t shown much publicly, I cannot and will not stop making art. Presently, my ongoing commitment to my art practice includes art making daily and committing to 8 hours a week to art-adjacent work, like applying to this art show.
Charlene Heilman
Heilman Price List - TBA
If you are interested in one of her pieces, please do not hesitate to contact her directly (see below).
If you are interested in one of her pieces, please do not hesitate to contact her directly (see below).
Contact Information:
via Instagram: ChuckyLucky
via Instagram: ChuckyLucky
Ed Walwail
Artist Statement
My artworks are ”Picnic” a poster that connects to the story, “Protected Thoughts” The reflections of inner peace, “Above the Sea : Red Edition” Reflecting body awareness and curiosity towards the unknown, “Me and Myself” Express inner self, “Earth” Where nature speaks, “Ambiguous Feelings” Explains fear and courage, “Medicine and Poison” Speaks about gender diversity and race, and “Seeds Seeking the Self” were systems and the life cycle–seeds grow, become a tree or a system, and crises happen that necessitate an adjustment to the system or a change to it that requires implanting new seeds by looking into the truth.
The illustrated Little Red Riding Hijab book will be a part of a collection of books on the future highlights some common challenges middle eastern families, students and singles usually face when they live in Canada. My goal is to bring more awareness and harmony to both Canadians and Middle Eastern in a very peaceful, intellectual and positive way.
I am a creative artist, multimedia specialist, and the founder of LabMations a digital media company which seeks to bring great stories, characters and experiences to people around the world. Three of my post projects are Missing Santa Show, Super Stories Shop podcast for Middle Eastern kids, My illustrated children’s book Little Red Riding Hijab and a new related book launch soon.
I was born in West Bank part of Palestine and am a recent immigrant to Canada. Back home, I lived in a densely populated ghetto, under occupation, experiencing violence and destruction. But I learned to keep looking forward, evolving a positive outlook which you can feel from my art. I’m happiest when I’m able to bring my creative abilities to my work life to make a deference.
I have two Bachelor degrees, one from the Middle East and a recent Bachelor of Design from Emily Carr University for Art and Design in Vancouver. My education had a great impact on my art by encouraging me to improve my methods with technology and create new immersive experiences. I am a storyteller who loves learning about new technology to enhance my art, telling important and entertaining stories, engaging new projects, and always expanding my artistic bandwidth.
The illustrated Little Red Riding Hijab book will be a part of a collection of books on the future highlights some common challenges middle eastern families, students and singles usually face when they live in Canada. My goal is to bring more awareness and harmony to both Canadians and Middle Eastern in a very peaceful, intellectual and positive way.
I am a creative artist, multimedia specialist, and the founder of LabMations a digital media company which seeks to bring great stories, characters and experiences to people around the world. Three of my post projects are Missing Santa Show, Super Stories Shop podcast for Middle Eastern kids, My illustrated children’s book Little Red Riding Hijab and a new related book launch soon.
I was born in West Bank part of Palestine and am a recent immigrant to Canada. Back home, I lived in a densely populated ghetto, under occupation, experiencing violence and destruction. But I learned to keep looking forward, evolving a positive outlook which you can feel from my art. I’m happiest when I’m able to bring my creative abilities to my work life to make a deference.
I have two Bachelor degrees, one from the Middle East and a recent Bachelor of Design from Emily Carr University for Art and Design in Vancouver. My education had a great impact on my art by encouraging me to improve my methods with technology and create new immersive experiences. I am a storyteller who loves learning about new technology to enhance my art, telling important and entertaining stories, engaging new projects, and always expanding my artistic bandwidth.
