The Women’s Art Association of Canada is pleased to present RHYTHM AND PLAY, a solo exhibition of pantings by Merike Lugus.  

Ruth Upjohn Gallery

Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. *COVID-19: Public access to the gallery is guided by government regulation and protocols.

Artist present: April 1, 2, 9, 16

Artist talk: April 6 at 1 p.m.

After my husband’s death, I discarded everything I knew about painting and began a path of discovery — from figurative to abstract, from oils to the shiny new acrylic options. Inspiration came from my then 5-year-old granddaughter who was fearless in her approach, so sure of her first bold strokes. So I began with the classic approach, marks on the canvas, then I poured brilliant pools of paint at random. I let go of the old constraints of structure and meaning. I needed to play. Soon I found my rhythm. I discovered that paint is a skin that can be manipulated, cut or carved into. At times it created jewel-like effects and I could indulge my childhood attraction to shiny objects. As it happens, this embrace of memory and childhood, stories and archetypes, matches my restless spirit, as I follow any direction and the process itself opens up.

Click to view selected artworks from the exhibition

Click to view Merike’s bio and portfolio