The current exhibit Meadow Sighs, Mountain Highs at the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre, on for the month of May, features Cheryl Bailey's artistic vision of mountains and meadows.
Bailey, a contemporary landscape artist, works with acrylic on canvas. She merges simplified flattened shapes with surface textures on a powerful black underpainting. She uses landforms and natural habitats as symbols of human transcendence, reflecting upon spiritual and physical possibilities.
Bailey grew up with plants, watching seedlings pop up in cell packs in spring, and helping her mother water the garden as a child in the summer. During university days she could be found propagating many tropical plants in greenhouses on frigid winter mornings, for a horticulture class.
With a biology degree and a newly purchased country property, news about the whole pollinator crisis in Canada got Bailey's attention. According to Don Scallen, nature writer and blogger, "The meadows she planted have become a biodiverse habitat of native wildflowers. She draws inspiration from the changing palette of colour for her landscape-based artwork."
Travels to Calgary gave Bailey the opportunity to showcase the magnificent Rockies. She says, "Our mountains provide endless opportunities for striking subject matter. There are the dark darks of the forest shapes and the white whites of the snowcapped peaks. All of these and more can provide high value contrast which gives the composition power.”
Through this lens the viewer can experience the awe-inspiring beauty of nature's tapestry, from mountains to rivers, hills to valleys, and forests to farmlands.
Beyond aesthetic appreciation, Bailey's work advocates for the importance of native plants in environmental sustainability and pollinator support. Drawing from her expertise in biology and ecosystems, she champions the integration of native plants in gardens to revitalize pollinator populations and foster biodiversity.
The public is invited to the opening reception on Sunday, May 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with Bailey, admire her artwork, and connect with fellow art enthusiasts. The artist will offer remarks around 2:30 pm. Refreshments will be served, including a selection of wines courtesy of Chateau des Charmes.
Come, and be inspired to take a closer look at our amazing environment. You may even want to add some native plants to your gardens.
