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I would like to welcome you to the opening of the art exhibition at Place des Arts entitled "Gilded lapses of time".  My name is Neil Loewen, artist and president of the Central Fraser Valley Graphic Guild.  The theme of this show was inspired by a poem written by the English poet, John Keats.  You can find a copy of his poem in our biography book.  Fourteen artists are represented:  each with a personal and unique interpretation of this theme. 

Keats was known for his ability to blend the truth of the natural world with imagination.  Graphic Guild members have "gilded the lapses of time" by creating unique works of delighted fancy.  You will see their visual representations of earthly beauties, the songs of birds, the voice of waters--and "thousand others more".  Keats believed that the deepest meaning of life lay in the apprehension of material beauty and he sought to awaken us as he was awakened: to wonder, and to joy.

There are , however, difficulties in trying to replicate the world or special moments of time through art, in fact it is an impossible task.  First of all, the world is in four dimensions (three of space and one of time), whereas images on paper or canvas are in two dimensions and frozen in time.  Even sculpture is in three dimensions of space but is equally frozen in time.  On the other hand, things in the world are biologically alive and somehow have soul , whereas images are not alive and have no soul.  Things in the world are in constant motion, evolving, growing, dying.  Not even van Gogh was able to make his wild sunflowers open their buds or give off an aroma.  Things in the world are living events, each the result of the elements, wind, heat, moisture, gravity and history.  We can attempt to represent the brilliant blaze of autumn on a maple tree, knowing that this is a precious moment of time soon to be followed by sullen gray days and leafless branches.  Images do not change, they remain as they are (except of course, for the environmental changes to the materials and pigments).

So art is not really about trying to replicate the world or accurately capture its true beauty.  We can't capture the ocean by scooping up a jar of sea water.  The ocean is only the ocean when it is experienced, waves breaking and crashing on the rocks, the wind blowing through our hair.  The stuff in the jar is only salt water.  In the same way we are unable to capture the ocean by converting it into coloured paints on canvas or paper. 

We may be fascinated with certain objects in the world, however it is not in representing the object itself that we are fascinated with.  The artist is interested in the look of an apple from the specific perspective of the evocative expressiveness of its form.  It is not to merely represent things or re-create it but to portray a mental event derived from the minds reaction to being a witness to this segment of the world.  The goal of representational art is not to represent things mechanically or accurately but to represent what happens to humans when they confront things.  When we come across a glistening red apple, it delights our senses and evokes fond memories.  We want to convey our excitement to others about "our" apple and what it means to us. 

I want to read a selection from Keats which I think helps to illustrate what we have attempted to do with this show.

       Much have I traveled in the realms of gold

       And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;

       Round many western islands have I been

       Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold.

       Oft of one wide expanse had I been told

       That deep-browed Homer ruled as his domain

       Yet did I never breathe its pure serene (air)

       Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold:

       Then felt I like some watcher of the skies

       When a new planet swims into his ken;

       Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes

       He stared at the Pacific - and all his men

       Looked at each other with a wild surmise -

       Silent, upon a peak in Darien.

John Keats was only twenty-one when, he wrote "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer" and at that time had never really gone anywhere outside London, and yet he claimed such a grand experience: "Much have I traveled in the realms of gold..." His travels are, of course, those of the imagination as he read a piece of great literature.  Chapman with his translation of Homer, made it come alive to fire Keats's imagination.

This is exactly what we have attempted to do in this show.  To fire your imagination as you see the works in front of you.  The paintings intersect personal memories and narrative with visual images creating a story that comes alive.  The artists have involved themselves in the material, becoming inextricably fused, underlining its importance.  

I have been privileged to be associated with a great group of artists in the Graphic guild for the last 7 years.  I think of great artists in terms of what they give, in terms of their commitment, hard work, humor, excitement, discipline and a standard of excellence. 

I want to thank my fellow artists who have taught me the proper intermingling of creativity with disciplined hard work and who taught me not to fear making myself vulnerable by being willing to put myself into the work itself.   Because of these, my fellow artists, and the lessons learned from them and their works, I have, like Keats, traveled much in the realms of gold.

So as you look at the art on display, take the time to get acquainted, and consider each piece of art by itself.  Listen to its story and let it touch your heart.  Discover for yourself, the gift of wonder and joy that is there for you, from the artist.