Through this October exhibition, Rochelle and Alison explore imaginary deep sea and aquatic creatures with a nuanced dark twist for the spooky season. Costume and fashion details are layered onto their creatures. Their characters come to life throughout the space in a variety of mediums including drawings, paintings, resin work and sculptural. This variety of mediums creates a dynamic flow through the space. They invite you to join them at their residency through costume parties, collaborative art creation, and workshops.
This playful celebration of a fictional underwater world is designed to draw people in. It is paired with dark undertones that provide, not only humor and interesting visual juxtapositions, but are also there to reflect on larger environmental issues. As a large portion of our aquatic life is undiscovered and rapidly disappearing, what unique creatures will we never discover?
Midnight Ripple:
Alison Frank and Rochelle Reonal
Alison Frank
The creatures in Midnight Ripple are a whimsical reflection of Alison’s work as a surreal artist and mermaid. The collection brings together an imaginary aquatic realm. The specific colour palette and costume elements set the tone and narrative. Juxtaposing sewing elements, throughout the work, celebrates creativity and costume creation at its peak in October. Her paintings and drawings are finished ornate vintage frames. The frames further enhance the staged retro narrative present in her work. It has been energizing for her to gain new influences, from collaboration with Rochelle, for this collection.
Alison holds a BFA from the University of Regina and an MFA in Printmaking from Louisiana State University. Originally from the Saskatchewan prairies, she currently works from her home studio in Calgary. She is involved in the art community, exhibiting, coordinating events, teaching and volunteering. Her work has been exhibited in Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia.
Rochelle Reonal
Rochelle is a multi-disciplinary pop-surrealist artist born and raised in Winnipeg, MB. She graduated and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Manitoba in 2009. Though Calgary has not always been home to Rochelle, she has a longstanding relationship with the city itself, and its art and music scenes, which inform her work.
