Sherway Gardens' Gallery in the Garden: Uncommon Moments September 9, 2012

Sherway Gardens’ (Hwy 427 & the QEW) current Gallery in the Garden exhibit entitled Uncommon Moments features sculptures by Irene Hunchak and paintings by Mira Martinez and Janice Ykema who present their unique visions of the world where humour, whimsy, wit and compassion are evoked through landscape and figurative sculptures and paintings of ‘uncommon moments’. The exhibit is on display until October 20 in the corridor at door 3. For more information call 416-621-1070 or visit www.sherwaygardens.ca.

After a successful and award winning career first in sugar artistry and then in botanical art, Guelph artist Irene Hunchak (formerly of Oakville) has turned to creating figurative sculptures. These works are often created in polymer clay, apoxie sculpt, or paperclay with an internal wire armature as a basic anatomical form. The "body" is built onto this armature. The body may be soft (a fabric costume stuffed with polyfill) or hard (built from Apoxie brand sculptors clay). Irene likes to use bold and vibrant colours in dressing the figure, and exaggerating and highlighting details. The piece is finished and embellished with details or other quirky elements which support the character and the narrative. Irene starts a piece by sculpting the head with a general idea of the character she wants to create. The character gradually takes on more personality, and asserts itself to the point where it dictates who it will be. Eventually Irene takes a back seat and resigns herself to the fact that her hands are the vehicle through which the character comes to life. To see more of her work, visit www.irenehunchak.com.

Mira Martinez was born in Montevideo, Uruguay and now lives in Mississauga. She graduated in fashion design in 1972 and moved to Canada in 1975. In Toronto, Mira studied at the Ontario College of Art and The Brunswick School of Art. Each of Mira’s paintings portrays a whimsical short story that engages the viewer’s imagination, letting them in to her world where the buildings, doors and windows signify the passage of life, experience and of freedom of choice. Mira has exhibited at Neilson Park Creative Centre, Beaux Art Brampton, the Great Hall in Mississauga, Gallery Streetsville, Metro Hall Rotunda, Casa Loma, The Enfield Fox Restaurant, Varley Art Gallery in Unionville and shown works in North York, Oakville, Kleinburg and Georgetown. Mira is a co-founder of Art Gala Forum in Mississauga www.artgalaforum.com.

Janice Ykema was raised on the outskirts of the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake and currently lives in Hamilton. Her interest in art was firmly established by the tender age of thirteen, when she attempted the rigorous juried entry process of the Ontario College of Art and was accepted into their first year program. She finally obtained her B. Design at OCAD in 2005, having delayed her dream of art in order to raise a family. Janice’s paintings do not fit into a particular style, she is motivated to express her inward visions, personal experiences, imaginings and memories. Janice is a member of Colour and Form Society, Carfac, Visual Arts Mississauga, Clarkson Society of Artists, Artworks Oakville, Oakville Art Society, Neilson Park Creative Centre and The Etobicoke Art Group. To see more of Janice’s work, visit www.janiceykema.com.

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