Opening Reception: February 14, 2015 / 2 p.m.
Canadian Sculpture Centre
Congratulations are in order for the two new members of the Sculptors Society of Canada: Dan Driscoll and Blake Ward. What a great honour for them as well as amazing additions for the Society. The current exhibition, entitled Sensuous, is featuring the newly awarded members’ work alongside pieces of seven other artists. It is a true delight to spend an afternoon amongst these beautiful works and to speak with the artists at the opening reception.
From left to right: Richard McNeill, Judi Young, President of Sculptors Society of Canada, and new member Blake Ward
New member Blake Ward gave me an in depth explanation of his works on display. Encapsulated within these delicate bronze figures is an even more beautiful sentiment. Ward described the journey of his work beginning with training in classically figurative sculpture. He states that it was people that sparked his interest and continued to inspire him. Over time a desire took Ward to develop his work into a more modern style. With these sculptures he wanted to reflect on the inner consciousness of people through the literal investigation of their ‘insides’. The bronze rods shooting through the figures are meant to represent a particular energy. Ward wishes to communicate to the viewer the value of one’s spirit. In his speech to the attendees of the opening Ward said, “Imperfection is one of the wonderful parts of my work because they are terribly imperfect. I love that portion of it because it is so human and it is humanity that I am trying to address.”
Blake Ward, “Ushabti Ryuu”, 2014, bronz, 84 x 16 x 17 cm
New member Blake Ward and his partner
Blake Ward, “Ushabti Mayet”, 2014, bronze, 82 x 21 x 16 cm and “Ushabti Mafdet”, 2014, bronze, 83 x 23 x 18 cm
The other new member of the Sculptors Society has a different story from Ward’s. Dan Driscoll, who unfortunately was not in attendance at the opening, as his daughter Jessica, told the audience a little about him. His first work was a wooden figure in high school and after that he never stopped. Following his heart – with a practical bent – he completed a degree in business and studied sculpture as well as FX (special effects) for films. Driscoll crafts magnificent wood sculptures – without glue, paint or nails/screws. His pieces are absolutely stunning. There was a shared sense of awe in the audience when Jessica showed me, by picking up one of the violin carvings, that her father carved each sculpture out of a single piece of wood! I easily could have been fooled that the two violins in front of me were real instruments but I learned that Driscoll actually took a violin making class so he could construct them accurately. Yes, I too was dumbfounded by the fact he was able to fit such precision in his work. Each carving is accompanied by poetic notes hand-written by Driscoll, a lovely and personal touch. Moved by these stunning works, I was sad I was not able to meet this very interesting artist, who breathes life into these breathtaking works in wood.
Dan Driscoll, “A Shrouded Violin”, 2013, Basswood, ebonized wood, violin strings, 6 x 31 x 10 inches
Dan Driscoll, “A Nest of Thoughts”, 2014, wood, charred wood, gold leaf, 2014, 12 x 18 x 11 inches
Blurb for Dan Driscoll’s “A Nest of Thoughts”
Text and photo: Carter Brown
*Exhibition information: Februar 14 – March 6, 2015, Canadian Sculpture Centre, 500 Church Street. Gallery hours: Tue – Fri: 12 – 6, Sat: 11 – 4 p.m.