Central Fraser Valley Graphic Guild

Rear View

A backward glance

Artists usually paint or photograph their subjects, whether they're still life, landscapes, people in portraits or engaged in activity, from a perspective that is most recognizable, most beautiful, more proper - some might say predictable - to the anticipated viewer. This often means showing the front view as it is the most identifiable. Yet "putting on a happy face" or having a "false front" does not always present reality.

On Saturday, Kariton Gallery in Abbotsford opens a show in conjunction with the Central Fraser Graphics Guild featuring artists offering a different point of view, literally.

Views are taken in reflections, peeking over subject's shoulders, through objects, and from the rear.

The "rear view" is one occurring in less formal situations, sometimes in more intimate occasions, perhaps not so perfect, but sometimes more revealing of what is real. The theme challenges the artist, both creatively and technically, to discover some new territory in what are often familiar subjects.

The result is a refreshing and fun exhibit that reveals the playful, and creative, side of the guild artists.

Mirrors, angles, reflections confound our expectations of what we should be seeing, and delight us with a new take on a familiar scene.

Images like Melodie Douglas' rendering of a reflection in a trombone, should keep gallery visitors gazing into this remarkable perspective.

And during the artists' open house on Saturday, some visitors will no doubt be asking artist Neil Loewen is that's a self-portrait, looking over his own shoulder painting another painting.

The Central Fraser Valley Graphic Guild has been around for close to 30 years, and is unique in that there are no prerequisites for membership. Membership ranges up to 30 members of various artistic backgrounds and levels of expertise working in a diversity of mediums.

The guild members meet on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Kariton Gallery, and also hold drawing or other sessions.

Through such events and exhibit, both the grassroots Kariton Gallery and The Reach Museum and Gallery offer the public exciting insights into the calibre and depth of talent shared by the city's pool of (sadly) largely unknown artists.

The Kariton Gallery open house is Saturday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., while the exhibit is on until Sept. 23. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and weekends from noon until 4 p.m.

To find out more about these artists and the Central Fraser Valley Graphic Guild, go to www.geocities.com/graphicguild/.

Kariton Gallery is at 2387 Ware St., Abbotsford.