For
their excellence in and dedication to fine art and craft, I
nominate Brian McArthur and Dawn Detarando for the Linda Stanier
& Family Memorial Award. After a recent review of their curriculum
vitaes and from personal observation, I would like to recognize
their accomplishments in their individual artistic disciplines
and as a creative team successfully operating during a sustained
high period of their livelihoods.
I
first met Brian when he was a student at Red Deer College and
Dawn, when they both arrived in Red Deer after earning a Master's
of Fine Art Degree from Ohio State University. At this early
junction in their disciplines, both exhibited great excitement
and eagerness to develop a viable creative partnership. Since
then, they have built a beautiful home/studio and exceptionally
talented art careers. The artwork they have produced reflect
both quality and substance as recognized by the numerous awards
they've received. It should be noted that these awards have
extended beyond realms of art and craft into industry as is
evidenced by the recent award of merit at the 2011 Alberta Masonry
Awards. This accomplishment naturally springs from their disciplined
energy and excitement in everything they do.
Creative
explorations in their field include a wide range of ceramics,
tile, sculpture, pottery, large scale public artworks, snow
carving, sand carving, mosaics, and drawing. Beyond these creative
elements, they round out their waking existence with healthy
pursuits: curling, swimming, skating, taxidermy, rugby, x-country
skiing, soccer, flowers, cuisine, farming, creative writing
and music (Brian is learning to play the accordion). These pursuits
illustrate an amazing thirst for experience that later surfaces
from within the content of their work.
The
narrative of their aesthetic has the distinction of reaching
out and embracing a diverse and receptive audience. Their core
thematic resources resonate with history, touching on Canadiana,
migration, whimsy and family. All are relevant to this province
while maintaining universal truths that remind us of our humanity.
With this, there is a sense of inclusion to their work, and
accessibility to all. Within this context of community, the
production of the work is often melded with employment opportunities
for students and young artists, workshops, teaching at every
level and residencies that represent Alberta to the world.
Brian
and Dawn continually strive for excellence for its own sake.
They stretch their limits, not to win, but rather, to take part,
sharing accolades, showing support, experiencing, having fun
and of course, spreading fun. The reverence they hold for the
world of craft is evident in their home where years of collecting
and trading has enmeshed their work with the art of those they
have welcome into their lives. Their home and studio contribute
to a rich existence that feeds back into the development of
their persistent output.
It
is undeniable that their work shines with the individuality
of each. But when they work together the results invariably
emerge as a harmonious project of considerable presence enhancing
the experience of all. I had the good fortune of knowing Linda
Stanier and believe she would be very proud of Brian and Dawn
- their art shares some of the same qualities of material and
community that could be described in Linda's work.
-
by Will Truchon
