Gallery in the Garden: Sotto Voce February 21, 2012

Sherway Gardens’ (Hwy 427 & the QEW) current Gallery in the Garden exhibit entitled Sotto Voce is an exhibition of elegant paintings by artists Nandor Horthy and Rita-Anne Piquet with pottery by Janny Wong, whose pieces share a theme of subtle nuance, control and understatement. The exhibit is on display until Saturday, March 24 in the corridor at door 3. For more information call 416-621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca.

Nandor Horthy was born and educated in Hungary where he studied art and music. He immigrated with his family to Canada in 1957 after the Hungarian Revolution and started a career as a professional musician, playing music at night and working as a visual artist during the day. After several years, painting overtook music eventually winning Nandor numerous prizes Canada and the U.S.

“My approach to painting is fairly traditional, but not always purely representational. I often combine very realistic elements with an abstracted view of reality. While sometimes dramatic, I generally strive for peaceful, calming beauty in my work. My love is creating quiet paintings, compelling subject matter and concise, elegant compositions. After fifteen years of exhibiting in the United States and in Hungary I am happy to be back in Toronto. Painting is my pleasure; indeed it is my life. I have been a full time professional artist for more than forty five years and I have enjoyed every moment of it. Recently I was honored to become an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists.” Nandor’s work can be seen at http://www.nandorhorthy.com/

Rita-Anne Piquet has exhibited widely in Toronto, throughout Ontario and in Bermuda. In 2004, Rita-Anne was Artist-in-Residence at the Masterworks Foundation of Bermuda. Her work is included in the collections of the Investment Planning Council, The Ontario Club, Cassels, Brock and Blackwell, and L. Hanna Real Estate and one of her paintings was selected for the cover of the New Anthology of Canadian Literature in English, published by Oxford University Press. Rita-Anne is drawn to quiet, intimate spaces, both in the rural landscape and in cities. Much of her work is inspired by her travels to Europe, the Caribbean and across Canada.

“The overriding theme of my paintings over the years has always been a contemplative study of the world. In landscape work, I choose to portray subjects which speak of stillness, serenity and frequently, solitude. My floral paintings are an affirmation of life, both in its strength and fragility. In focusing on the specific and every day, the subjects are transformed into something enduring and universal.” Some of Rita-Anne’s work can be seen by visiting http://ritaanne-piquet.fineartamerica.com/

Janny Wong has been a potter for over 16 years and is currently a member of the Ontario Crafts Council, FUSION: The Ontario Clay and Glass Association, and Toronto Potters Guild. For Janny, pottery is relaxation, creation, and expression. Her one-of-a-kind works are contemporary and mainly decorative. Through each art piece, Janny aims to connect, inspire, and bring pleasure. Her works reflect the two sides of her personality - playful yet disciplined, boundless yet moderate.

“I am always inspired by diversity and its combined power and stories of courageous individuals. Through my current two series of work - Multi-Color on Black and Thrown-Coiled, I would like to share my thoughts, feelings and inspirations. 'Diversity' was also the theme of my contemporary arts dual exhibition from January 29 to February 10, 2012 at the Cedar Ridge Art Gallery in Scarborough.” Janny’s work can be seen at http://jannywong-pottery.com

Official Website: http://www.sherwaygardens.ca