In her work presently on display at the Parkside Art Gallery in 100 Mile House, renowned Wells artist Claire Kujundzic offers a creative response to the mountain pine beetle outbreak, which has affected more than 40 million acres of British Columbia's forests.
“It was finding the beauty and not just being scared of the pine-beetle epidemic, but seeing the transition of the forest and seeing the
resiliency of nature,” Kujundzic explains.
“In a way, it's about looking closely at what's going on around us. We're all in the middle of this forest that covers the Cariboo.”
The show, Forest Light, is a selection of canvas trees and other works from Kujundzic's forest-based series. It runs until Oct. 30.
Kujundzic explains how the idea for the pieces came about when she started looking closely at the beetle-etched wood she was burning in a stove.
“This decaying wood, which appeared ugly and frightening for its larger environmental, social, and economic consequences, was actually quite intriguing, exquisite and interesting.”
The beetle engravings reminded her of ancient cave paintings in Spain and France.
“It was almost like there was a message in the wood from the beetles to us. I think I felt a strong response to what it looked like all around. The change from the green to red and red to black.”
For outgoing gallery director Barb Brown, the show is “dear to her heart” for a few different reasons. It's her last show as gallery director, but also she's been following Kujundzic for some time and is a proud owner of an important part of her work – a painting, called Firewall, she did in 2003 that's considered a transition piece of Kujundzic's work.
“Claire wouldn't normally show in a smaller gallery, but we established a relationship and about three years ago I started begging her, 'Come, please, please,'” Brown says.
“I felt it was really important. What Claire as an artist has been doing is huge.”
Kujundzic will be at the Parkside Art Gallery on Oct. 29 for an artist talk, which starts at 7 p.m.
She plans on entertaining questions, explaining techniques and talking about the history of her work and where it's going.
“To see an epidemic happen, it's frightening,” Kujundzic says. “But, nature's cycle of renewal is also inspiring.”