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Creating art, connections at artist’s gallery opening
Posted By JOHN ROBBINS
It’s not much larger than a press-box eatery – a small, almost unnoticeable Queen Street store front, with a plain sign affixed above the front window that says House of Art.
But step inside and there’s a whole new world to discover – one where spirits and fairies come to life.
A place where mystical visions are recorded in minute detail on canvas and paper and building materials.
A friendly, earthy space where contemplating the deeper meaning of life is encouraged.
“It’s about soul searching,” says artist Rick Jacksties, motioning toward a collection of his paintings and drawings hanging on the brightly painted walls.
Jacksties, 42, was born in Welland and lived in St. Catharines for many years. He moved to Salt Spring Island, B.C., in 1999, and only recently moved back to Niagara for family reasons.
Jacksties’ House of Art gallery is the latest addition the growing Queen Street arts scene.
The official opening took place Saturday evening.
Jacksties, who also goes by the name Shamandala, has been working for about a month-and-a-half to get things ready for his public debut while juggling a couple of day jobs.
Among the several dozen works displayed inside the gallery is one that’s particularly eye catching. It’s an image of the head and shoulders of a man with a real video monitor implanted into the the back half of the skull.
The picture is stretched out across one corner of the room, and there are benches placed around the unusual piece, so that people can sit and look at the work and watch the images displayed on the screen.
Many of Jacksties’ works show hints of his interest in nature and environmental conservation, such as a painting on a chunk of old plywood.
“Well, it’s recycling, right?” Jacksties says with a chuckle.
Blended in with nature themes are spiritual ones, which are often inspired by reading and studying of mythology, comparative religion, psychology and cultural anthropology.
There’s nothing dogmatic about his images, though, and Jacksties himself isn’t all that hung up on organized religion as such.
“If I have a religion, it’s nature mysticism,” says Jacksties. “If there’s any deity I recognize it’s Gaia. I worship the earth, if anything.”
The House of Art is located at 4438 Queen St. To view some of Jacksties’ art, visit www.shamandala.com.
Article ID# 997078
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