Love Art in Calgary: Axis Contemporary Art and The Kite Unfurls!

Director, Rob Mabee, is warm, good humoured and smart!  Stepping into the intimate world of Axis Contemporary Art Gallery is like stepping into a place of discovery.  Welcome to explore and ask questions, a person can always learn things from Rob.  As Art Central winds down in its vibrant life and its unique vision, Axis continues to open its doors and educate the public.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to share in another unique opportunity for the sake of loving art!  Thanks, Rob.

On this visit, there were a couple of things I really noticed and enjoyed.  Norah Borden’s piece, The Kite Unfurls was beautiful!  I captured a quick photo of my friend, Lauraine, in front of the piece…for me both the art and the person describe the very same thing.  Tell me if I’m wrong.

P1120952The thing is…on a Love Art in Calgary Tour, we stop midway through the tour and enjoy a lovely lunch together and given that friend, Jennifer, was not there to enjoy a La Fleur, Lauraine stepped in and shared in a celebratory martini with me at Murrieta’s this time around.  Wendy Lees strategically plans the order of our day so that we can walk to the next location.  And this weekend in Calgary, the weather was extraordinary!

P1120916Back to the art…

I enjoyed learning about Lisa Brawn’s work…her technique and subject matter.  As Rob talked about her prolific practice and the pleasure she has in carving, I felt I understood and appreciated the act of making art, through her experience.  I encourage my readers to spend some time exploring her website and reading Lisa’s blog!  Some very ‘yummy’ projects and inspirations are archived there.

P1120924Of course, I am always drawn to one painting in particular when I check out the ‘stuff’ at Axis…that being a painting by Audrey Mabee.  Conversation with Diva  is both full of fun and vibrant with colour.  I like both!

P1120922We were blessed with this time together…rich…full of conversation…and saturated with wonderful art!

P1120937The Kite Unfurls!  A tremendous celebration of art and human interest!

 

Love Art in Calgary Tour: Part 3

Rob Mabee of Axis Contemporary Art at Art Central was so hospitable!  What a generous person, in terms of the discussion that he engaged us with around art, Art Central and his history with Axis Contemporary Art.  We were already at Studio C, so it was just a matter of going up a couple of flights of stairs to Axis.  I had formerly walked into this gallery during First Thursday events, but hadn’t ever visited with Rob, so that was really the special aspect of this part of the tour.  There was quite a variety of work from the Axis collection, so that was fun.  Early in April, they will be featuring Verna Vogel’s works.  Once housed in a larger warehouse space downstairs, Rob shared that he enjoys the more intimate and welcoming location and that people feel less intimidated by it.

I think that it’s important for the community to understand that art is accessible…that there is not some prerequisite in terms of knowledge, understanding or experience with art, for every person to enjoy it.  Sometimes art just leaves us speechless and that’s ok too.

Here is an excellent biography about Rob Mabee.  Calgary is so fortunate to have him as an approachable and positive contributor to our art scene.

Taken directly from the article…and I suggest you read it…THIS.

7. Name a Calgarian that you admire and tell us why.  I admire my friend Mike Swanson for the time, energy and total commitment he gives to running the Inn From the Cold program at his church.  Visiting him there made me appreciate him, and all the people like him that make giving-back part of their daily lives.

Thank you, Rob, for your time and your easy manner!  A great part of Wendy Lee’s first Love Art in Calgary Tour!  Axis Contemporary Art is located at #203, 100 7th Ave SW on the second floor.

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The Bathers Series by Christine Wignall Photo Credit: Kathleen Moors

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A focused group of art explorers!

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