Tompalski's Boxers were inspired by the Female Afghan Boxing Club in Kabul
Tompalski's
new work is based on and inspired by pictures of the Afghan women who
train in the basement of the Kabul stadium where the Taliban used to
publicly execute women accused of adultery. Sadaf Rahimi, a female boxer
from Afghanistan who made history by being the first Afghan female
boxer to be invited to the Olympics recounts, “In Afghanistan, there is
so much violence and prejudice towards women. Because of that, when I
come here and box, I feel freedom. Here we are all girls, and we talk
with each other and practice. Here is freedom for me and for every
girl.”
Artist Sherry Tompalski's new work at the Gage Gallery
opens on Feb 23, (5-8pm) featuring her Female Boxers."This work began as
large graphite drawings that are torn up and reassembled with fragments
of musical score, portraying the process of coming undone, reforming
and coming together. The Boxers incorporate a fragmented, difficult
history which hopefully with healing and strength becomes music."
Arden Rose on Boxers and Beauties
I
create art to express myself without words. Painting provides me with
joy, with calm, and with a reflective state. I feel whole when I’m
making art.
Generally, my inspiration is drawn from colour
combinations in nature, and in life! In this series I have particularly
drawn inspiration from nature and Modigliani’s long-necked beauties.
Colour,
beauty, texture, and form motivate me. Together, they create a feast
for the eye. I’m not trying to change the world or create any sort of
philosophical or ideological statement - I’m just painting what I
believe is beautiful.
You may ask what beauty is. Beauty is a
label we attach to different sorts of experiences based on a combination
of cultural and personal preferences. It’s different to everyone and
takes many forms. We all have vastly different perceptions. It can be
sexual in nature or nurturing. Think lover or mother. It can be skin
deep or a part of the soul.
In my current work of portraits and
nudes I’m attempting to depict the fusion of the female form with the
beauty inherent in nature. I’ve added “nature” in the form of flora and
fauna as a symbol of feminine unification with nature.
This series is
painted on both canvas and wooden cradle board using acrylics. I added
collage, ink and mediums for colour and texture. I love using a palette
knife to create big smooth swatches of richness or to scrape down to
reveal layers of colour.
Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.” ―
Kahlil Gibran
