Hi there!
I have wandered down many different paths before I found painting. My early studies were in textiles-dyeing, printing, weaving, and sewing. With the intention of expanding my skills as a Professional Textile Artist for Film and Theatre, I took my first painting class at Toronto School of Art.
Textiles weave my foundation, but painting is my artistic calling.
In my experimental abstracts, I use watercolours as a primary sketching tool and then elaborate into larger-scale acrylics. My approach is inspired by imagery from the natural world. I am especially fascinated by the spontaneously formed repeating patterns that reoccur from the microscopic to the cosmic. Is it a snail shell or a swirling galaxy?
The surface is nurtured through many layers as I am continually searching for the right vibration of light and colour. Following the spirit of the paint, a dialogue forms between what is seen and what is unseen. My aim is to be curious and open to whatever messages unfold.
Gerri Gillan CV
Group Exhibitions
2023 ArtWalk in the Square, Toronto
2023 Riverdale Artwalk, Toronto
2022 Big Holiday Smalls Show - Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto
2022 ArtWalk in the Square, Toronto
2022 Riverdale Artwalk, Toronto
2021 ArtWalk in the Square, Toronto
2021 Riverdale Artwalk, Toronto
2021 Infinity Exhibition -The Holy Art Gallery, London, England
2020 Big Holiday Smalls Show - Leslie Grove Gallery, Toronto
2020 Off Camera - Gallery 1313, Toronto
2019 Grand Opening Exhibition - Toronto School of Art
2017 Open House - Toronto School of Art
2011 Open House - Toronto School of Art
2009 Open House - Toronto School of Art
1996 Textiles Group Show - Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Halifax
1991-92 Costumes Studies Annual Show, Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S.
Education
1997-2020 Ongoing Painting and Drawing, Toronto School of Art
1998 Textiles, Ontario College of Art & Design, Toronto
1995-96 Textiles, Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Halifax, N.S.
1990-92 Costume Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S.
1989-90 Dress Maker and Weaving, Holland College, Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Awards
1990&91 Maude Whitmore Scholarship, Confederation Centre For the Arts, P.E.I.
Related Professional Experience
1988-Present Costumier/Textile Artist for Film and Theatre Productions