Across the Distance is the first International Call to Artists by the Langley Arts Council.

The Langley Arts Council was overwhelmed by the response from our community regarding this Call to Artists. We had applications come in from artists located around the world, and we're absolutely blown away by all of the talented artists who applied! 

We received the most applications the LAC has ever received for a Call to Artists, and the LAC Jurors chose over 80 artworks to display in this exhibition.

The Langley Arts Council reached out to three artists who have never shown with the LAC before to ask them about their artistic practice and share their answers with our community. We've featured Katie Lemieux, Alex Lavrov, and Prasad Mestri.

Katie Lemieux

Where are you from?

Tell us a bit about your practice. What Medium/Mediums do you work in?

For the first several years of my practice I was exclusive to charcoal illustration. I have a deep interest in texture and the physical, tactile qualities of art. After experiencing the malleability of clay, my work shifted to sculpture. I am deeply mesmerized by the similarities between clay and flesh, the juxtaposition between malleability and vitrification. I still draw, but when I do I find it still reflects my fascination with texture.

Have you shown in an international exhibition before?

I have been very fortunate to have shown in several international exhibitions. I have shown my work in China, Croatia, USA and Canada, an incredibly humbling experience.

Where do you find inspiration?

My inspiration comes from a variety of sources, though non-verbal communication strikes a chord with me that I continue to carry within my practice. Empathy, posture, facial expression and gestures largely fuel my interests when sculpting or drawing. This pertains to both human and animals alike, as every living being has a means of communication.

Have you always been creative? or Why did you start making art?

I have always been interested in creating thing dating back to as far as I can remember and I can confidently say I have never considered a career that was outside my artistic interests. Making art for me was a means of communication, especially as a shy child. Years later, my youngest sibling was born with autism and he too experiences alternative ways of communication. This only fuels my art practice and I continue to create work that explores how we as humans and animals connect to each other and with the world.

Alex Lavrov

Where are you from?

I was born in Ukraine in 1981 (part of the soviet union then).

In 1997 moved to Israel and eventually to Canada in 2007.

Lived in Lower Mainland ever since. Currently residing in Vancouver.

Tell us a bit about your practice. What Medium/Mediums do you work

in?

I work predominantly with oils on canvas. I find it the most pleasurable experience out of all mediums I've tried throughout my life (drawing, watercolour, a bit of sculpture, some craft making).

Have you shown in an international exhibition before?

Yes, I would say. I've participated in a few international exhibitions before. They were like this one, an online exhibition.

Where do you find inspiration?

I've been asked this question many times before. My answer often surprises people, because I don't work out of inspiration. I just do what I do. To put it in other words, creativity just sort of flows out of me at any given moment as long as I let it do whatever it wants to do. I don't have a specific subject matter in mind or waiting for some kind of a muse to come and provide me with inspiration.

I approach a new canvas with a spirit of "OK. Let's see what's going to come out of my subconscious now", then I start improvising. As an oil painter, I work in layers. My paintings are done in 3 to 4 coats of paint. It starts as a combination of blurred shapes and colours and with each subsequent layer these shapes become sharper and the picture becomes clearer. After that, I can identify what the painting is about. At this point, I would give it a title and describe the subject matter as I interpret it.

Have you always been creative? or Why did you start making art?

I had some potential in kindergarten and then in school. I could draw and paint better than most kids. But I didn't take it seriously up until age 15 or so. At that age, I started to attend the local art school but eventually had to drop out.

I'd say that somewhere around age 16 I began to express myself through art more and more. At that age I was damaged psychologically and emotionally thanks to the environment I grew up in, and art was my way out of that condition, the light that helped me navigate through dark corridors of my unconscious, if I may use the analogy. These days, 20 some years later, I can say that I'm in a good place. Making art still remains my favourite activity, and other than self-expression I use it as a tool to understand the nature of conscious, unconscious and subconscious minds. 

We pleased to announce that Alex Lavrov will be having a solo exhibition at the Township of Langley Civic Centre "Civic Gallery" in 2021. Alex's exhibition will take place from January 13th, - February 22nd. Be sure to follow the Langley Arts Council on Social media to receive updates about our upcoming exhibitions.

Prasad Mestri

I am from Dahanu, a small coastal town in the state of Maharashtra, India. I study in the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai under the Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts (Painting)

Tell us a bit about your practice. What Medium/Mediums do you work in?

I am currently studying Bachelor's in Fine Arts in the Sir J.J. School of Art. This is my 4th and last year of my Degree. I plan to do my specialization in Painting. I have simultaneously studied Portrait for the last 4 years along with my specialization subject. I always try to relate my artwork to a particular topic. I always have preferred doing realistic artwork and I prefer it to date. Although, since the last few years, I have developed an inclination towards the Creative Style of Painting. I have always, since the very days of my childhood, observed different social traditions happening around me. I grew up in a small town, hence superstitions have always influenced my life in one way or another. I try to inculcate these things through Creative Painting that has had an impact on my initial life. It would not be wrong to say, the roots of my artwork are the culture and traditions prevailing in my country.

Have you shown in an international exhibition before?

Where do you find inspiration?

Have you always been creative? or Why did you start making art?

The LAC wants to thank all of the artists that took the time to make work, apply for this Call, and for choosing to showcase their work with the Langley Arts Council. We thoroughly enjoyed looking through the submissions and we look forward to providing more opportunities for international artists in the future.