Carol Wainio: The Book

Organized and circulated by Carleton University Art Gallery, Ottawa
Curated by Diana Nemiroff

January 19 to March 17, 2013

Carol Wainio (Canadian, b. 1955), Industrial Fairy Tale, 2008,
acrylic on canvas, 182.9 x 304.8 cm.
Collection of the artist, courtesy of Wynick/Tuck Gallery, Toronto.

Nationally recognized painter Carol Wainio began working with the motif/theme of the book in 2002. Since that time her focus has shifted from medieval books of hours to Victorian and contemporary illustrated books for children. As with her other, earlier artistic explorations, Wainio has given a great deal of thought to her subject, in this case, mulling over the layers of cultural meaning in imagery intended for children. She explores her findings using the language of the visual and painterly, not in literal or sociological terms.

The works in this touring show are mostly large in scale, and wonderfully complex, with dense conglomerations of imagery and an impressive variety of artistic methods employed.

Wainio is based in Ottawa, Ontario, where she teaches painting at the University of Ottawa.

Opening reception
Friday, January 25, 2013, 7 to 9 pm
This is a free event, open to members and guests by invitation.
Artist Carol Wainio will be in attendance.

Lightning Talks
Saturday, January 26, 2013
1:00 – 3:00 pm

Six artists, including Carol Wainio and Sarah Maloney, visiting here for the openings of their solo exhibitions, will take part in a lively conversation in a lightning-talk format. Each artist will speak for five minutes on issues facing artists working outside of major urban centres of cultural production. How do they stay current? Build an audience for their work? Find a dealer?

Moderated by Okanagan-based artist Katie Brennan (who is the curator of the Lake Country Art Gallery and a sessional instructor in studio at the UBCO), the discussion will be opened up to audience members so that all will have a chance to engage with the topic and one another. Visiting artists Carol Wainio (lives and works in Ottawa) and Sarah Maloney (lives and works in Halifax) will both be speaking. Their new exhibitions at the Kelowna Art Gallery will be available for viewing.

Lightning Talks are FREE to attend and open to the public.