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Here are some photos of behind the scenes, as I get my model ready.
The final edited photo will be available soon, along with the painting posted below. I hand painted the hoodie with Banksy’s logo on it too.
Behind the Scenes photos: Jen Steele Photography
Masks from: Archie McPhee
Model: Chris Wylie, Owner, Searles Auto
Banksy Squirrel, 24 x 35, Oil on Board, Carollyne Yardley, 2013
Banksy Squirrel is finally complete!
I’ve been working on this painting since early January 2013. There have been several distractions, art shows, and other production tasks keeping me away from the easel. But finally, it is complete.
In between starting and finishing this piece, I watched Exit Through the Gift Shop, there was the Sotheby’s sale of ‘stolen’ Banksy mural cancelled at the 11th hour, a book was published called Banksy: The Man Behind the Wall by Will Ellsworth-Jones, and subsequent book reviews.
Banksy Squirrel, 24 x 35, Oil on Board, Carollyne Yardley, 2013
Since it took me so long to finish this piece, I was praying the entity known as Banksy didn’t pull a reveal in the meantime. It would’ve ruined the idea of him being a Secret Squirrel.
Banksy is a pseudonymous England-based graffiti artist, political activist, film director, and painter.
My thoughts behind this piece started from the basic idea, that Bansky qualifies as a Secret Squirrel. Totally covert operations.
Then I started thinking about how many people must know who he is. And to rent city blocks for longs periods of time has to mean he’s got some friends in high places, or he’s way more white collar on the inside than he wants many to believe. So taking from the only things a casual reader like myself could know, or have been led to believe by the Banksy media machine is this:
He’s British, funny and smart as shit, has worn a black hoodie at least once in his lifetime, uses the logo seen here at his website, goes on spray painting holidays to the Separation Barrier, probably hopes for a better world (little girl with hope balloon), and is anonymous.
And voila, this is Banksy Squirrel.
Read more about Banksy, or visit his website.
MORE ON SOTHEBY’S STORY HERE
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images via Bloomberg
A man takes a mobile phone photo of an artwork attributed to Banksy. The stencilled image depicts a poor child making Union Jack flags on a sewing machine and was located on the wall of a Poundland discount shop in the Wood Green area of north London. The work was later removed and was to be auctioned in Miami. It was withdrawn moments before the auction.
Many thanks to everyone who voted for me, friend, fans, Victorians, and especially Monday Magazine and their readers!
Check out the full list of winners in our eight page feature section hitting the streets tomorrow afternoon and online at http://www.mondaymag.com/eeditions/
Our awards were in the form of customized ukeleles by Long and McQuade.
Carollyne Yardley (l) with living sculpture / body painting artwork by Kristen Urbanheart Grant at Monday Magazine “M” Awards.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Joseph Williams, cartoonist for Monday Magazine. Check out his site at BlobFarm.
Carollyne (l) and Joseph Williams, Artist
Here is coverage by Adam Sawatsky, Your Island Arts and Lifestyle, April 24, 2013.
http://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=912635
Jerry Saltz, Senior Art Critic; New York Magazine just followed me on Twitter!
@jerrysaltz
Bow-Chicka-Bow-wow.
Coach House Books, Fall 2013 Catalogue
Space Hat Squirrel has been selected to grace the the cover of Coach House Books Fall 2013 Catalogue.
They are a publishing company located in Toronto, Canada, and print
about 2,500 catalogues and send them to publishers, authors, and bookstores around the world.
“Squirrels have sort of become the unofficial mascot of Coach House,” says Heidi, Publishing Assistant.
Amen Brother.
Even better – the catalogue lists among its nonfiction titles the latest release by Jeet Heer, In Love With Art, Francoise Mouly’s Adventures in Comics with Art Spiegelman.
I can’t wait to read this book. I love Spiegelman – we’ve been lucky to have the exhibit Art Spiegelman, CO-MIX: A Retospective of Comics, Graphics and Scraps at the Vancouver Art Gallery (February 16 to June 9, 2013).
Coach House Fall 2013 Catalogue: download here
Web: http://www.chbooks.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coachhousebooks
I am donating this painting to the CNIB Eye Appeal Art Event.
The CNIB Eye Appeal Art Event will be held on May 10, 2013 at the Crystal Garden in Victoria, BC.
Here is information about Banksy, and the online shop.
Squirrel Stole the Bansky Balloon (character study), 14″ x 11″, Oil on Board, 2013, Carollyne Yardley
The Balloon Girl
{From Stencil Revolution}
Banksys The Balloon Girl first started appearing on various London walls in 2002. The work has been known by several titles: There is Always Hope Balloon Girl, The Girl with the Red Balloon, and Red Heart, among others. The painting has been reproduced several times, not all containing the words There is Always Hope, though the most popular copies contains these words. The prints are available through many art dealers in various sizes. Reference here.
Banksy, The Balloon Girl
About the Event
The CNIB Eye Appeal Art Event is one of the most anticipated fundraisers for CNIB on Vancouver Island. Attendees will experience fine dining, breath-taking art and the opportunity to bid on unique items.
Through the help of over 200 locally and internationally renowned artists as well as various sponsors and volunteers, the CNIB Eye Appeal Art Event raises money to fund programs on Vancouver Island. http://eyeappeal.org/
CNIB is a registered charity, passionately providing community-based support, knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life.To find out more, visit http://www.cnib.ca/ or call 1-800-563-2642.
FEB 22 – APRIL 01, 2013
1016 FORT STREET
MON-TUES, by appointment
Wed – Fri: 2pm-6pm
Sat+Sun 12pm-4pm
Saint Squirrel: Protecting You ‘Cause You’re Nuts! 18 x 24, Oil on Canvas, 2010. Available for viewing and purchase at The Apartment Gallery until April 01, 2013.
Romancing the Squirrel at the Apartment Gallery, Feb 22 – April 01, 2013, Victoria, BC Pop Surrealism | The Art of Consumption – Contemporary Pop Art Surrealism Acrylic Oil Painting Pop Art Gallery Victoria BC Carollyne Yardley
Cool video by Jen Steele Photography
FEB 22 – APRIL 01, 2013
1016 FORT STREET
MON-TUES, by appointment
Wed – Fri: 2pm-6pm
Sat+Sun 12pm-4pm
Here are a few teaser photos from my camera, I will post more when the photographer and gallery send me their pictures. Close to 3oo people attended the opening at The Apartment Gallery, and I was very impressed with how they handled the overflow, considering the gallery size. They graciously opened up the spa downstairs so art lovers could enjoy wine and spa treatments, while waiting for the crowd to turn over.
See coverage of the show, and Press Release
CTVNEWS
CFAX 1070
Focus Magazine
Pennello Lane
Vic42.com
Exhibit-V.ca
I’m expecting an email tomorrow that says, “They said I wasn’t on the guest list, Love Mom.”
We do our best.
Green Felt Squirrel Doll after Romancing the Squirrel . Photo by Jen Steele
Video by Efren Quiroz of Exhibit-V.ca
Tierre Joline (hat designer), Carollyne Yardley (holding felted squirrel made by Tierre Joline modeled after Romancing), Alexander Kaiser (Silly Hats by Alexander), Romancing the Squirrel, Opening Night, Feb 22, 2013
Danica Wilcox and Tierre Joline wearing Tierre Joline hats. The painting, Revolution 9, by Carollyne Yardley, in between.
Wonderful ladies of The Apartment Gallery, Romancing the Squirrel, Feb 22 – April 01, 2013 – Photo courtesy of The Apartment Gallery
The Erling-Tyrells with Carollyne Yardley, Romancing the Squirrel, Feb 22, 2013
Thank you to everyone involved, Ellen Manning, Director of the Apartment Gallery, the countless volunteers, hat and clothing designers who came armed with gorgeous models wearing delicious hats, Heather Leary who donned the Tropical Girl Squirrel outfit for a second time.
Romancing the Squirrel, The Apartment Gallery, Opening Night, Feb 22, 2013
Cupcakes on silverware at Romancing the Squirrel at The Apartment Gallery
Chantelle Kneale and friend
Donna, Gordon and Tierre with The Avenger, Romancing the Squirrel, The Apartment Gallery, Victoria, BC
A big thank you to Burke Tanner of Beverage Concepts International who represents Cannery Brewing, Dennis of McLaren Vale Wines, and my new favorite drink, Diplimatico Rum 12 y/o. I’ve always loved an age statement.
Green Felted Squirrel by Tierre Joline (after Romancing the Squirrel), with Diplimatico Rum sponsored by Burke Tanner of Beverage Concepts International
Heather Leary as Tropical Girl Squirrel with Carollyne Yardley. Photo courtesy of The Apartment Gallery
In the contemporary world we put on various costumes, faces and disguises to mold ourselves for roles and positions in society, taming the unattainable or unmentionable desires hidden within our personal psyches. Break this cycle of suppression and enter into the world of Carollyne Yardley in which everyday and every image is a witty insight into the characters beneath the surface! Romancing the Squirrel presents Yardley’s entire body of unique personalities – her characters, our real selves, emerge from behind the safety screen of the mask, the ‘squirrely’ exterior. Yardley’s signature style is a calculated and revolutionary approach to art historical tradition invigorating and enlivening the static entities of the past with the eccentric personalities of the present. Ellen Manning, The Apartment Gallery
THE SHOW CONTINUES UNTIL APRIL 01, 2013.
THE APARTMENT GALLERY
FEB 22 – APRIL 01, 2013
1016 FORT STREET
MON-TUES, by appointment
Wed – Fri: 2pm-6pm
Sat+Sun 12pm-4pm
See coverage of the show, and Press Release
CTVNEWS
CFAX 1070
Focus Magazine
Pennello Lane
Vic42.com
Exhibit-V.ca
Birgit Piskor Studio Show and Sale
Saturday, March 9th – Sunday, March 10th, 2013, 12-6pm
Victoria, BC Art Events
My friend Jen Steele Photography, invited me along to see New Works by Birgit Piskor (pronounced beer-git). It’s very funny, because so many people have told me about Birgit’s work, and have described her studio to me (you know, the place with the giant chess set in the garden), and finally today, I came face-to-face with said artist, and her larger-than-life chess set.
Her sculptural works are most commonly purchased internationally by art collectors, and high-end interior designers. I can see why!
Garden Chess Board and Piece
Awesome musician with more works.
Birgit works in concrete and makes the most delicate curves and swathes of fabric in her fine art sculpture. Many knots, curves, phallic and female forms, one piece in particular is reminiscent of Georgia O’Keeffe. Several pieces reminded me of Winged Victory of Samothrace , (Louvre, Paris), which is the headless statue discovered at Samothrace and dating from about 200 BC. The wrapping of the concrete “fabric” also reminded me of the mummies of Ancient Egypt.
Birgit Piskor, entrance with Rapt Figure Series
Birgit’s studio and gallery space is set within a lovely, character home in James Bay. I loved the setting for the works because the pieces are so contemporary, but while you can visualize them within the most austere museum setting, or a modern European glass and concrete home, they also fit within a more traditional style, or home aesthetic.
Perhaps this is because of their seeming connection to ancient carvings. Several pieces remind me of a marriage between the Venus of Willendorf, a Greek mythological creature, concept sculptures by John Baldessari, and any ethereal entity from some yet undiscovered, planet. Even the stacked circles called, The Zambris, remind me of other-worldly monuments; ancient communication devices, dreamcatchers, or dream portals.
The Zambris
One of my favorite pieces was the flower petals and penis stigma. I love how the stigma and style, being the female part of the plant is shaped like a penis.It immediately made me think of Jeffrey Eugenides book, Middlesex.
Stigma and Petals
And yes, you get to check out where it all happens in the working studio outside. This makes for a full studio tour experience.
Working space, concrete sculptures
During our visit today, Birgit shared with us a life and death story of her real Jonah and the Whale experience while traveling down south. During a day of kayaking, a spiritual experience took place in one definitive moment. Two grey whale breeching around her kayak was nearly the end. With the kayak destroyed, and water thundering all around from the pressure of the waves, she and her kayaking partner lived to see another day.
This makes Birgit a woman with many messages to share within her work, and naturally, one of her spirit animals is the whale (fortunately, they don’t eat squirrel).
I’ll leave Birgit to tell you the entire story.
Visit her studio this weekend.
Piece inspired by Jonah and the Whale
Carollyne Yardley and Birgit Piskor
Hey ya’ll,
Today brought great news!
I have been nominated in the category of Favorite Visual Artist for a 2013 M Award, Monday Magazine.
Monday Magazine needs your help to narrow down the long list of nominees to a short list. Short-listed nominees will be invited to a gala event next month, where the final votes will be tallied and the ‘M’ Award winners will be announced. I’d appreciate you casting your votes and spreading the news using the survey link below:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/mawards
A huge supporter of the arts, the awards recognize Victoria’s visual, literary and performing artists with Monday’s tenth annual M Awards. Vote for your favourites in the following categories by filling out the paper ballot (found on Page 17 of this week’s Monday) and returning it to them, or filling out their online survey at www.surveymonkey/s/mawards
Just so you know: only one ballot may be cast per voter. This is very important: Voters must pick a favourite in at least 10 categories for their ballots to qualify. The ‘Visual Artist’ category is found near the end of the survey– question 30.
Thank you in advance for taking a few minutes and filling out the survey as best as you can. Victoria’s local arts scene thrives because of you!
NOTE: Must vote in minimum of 10 categories.
• Winners announced in April 26 issue of Monday Magazine.
• Deadline for voting is 5 p.m., Fri., March 23.
Rules here: http://www.mondaymag.com/news/140950153.html
Vote here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MAwards
