A Virtual VernissageDepictions of The Aether and/or Deception

by Neelin Art Students

Kalena Enns, Renee Ferguson, Alyssa Jansen, Chloé Janse van Rensburg, Janis Kim, Jessica Old, Memphis

Ramsden-Smith, and Wesley Rathwell(and their art teachers)

Artist: Kalena EnnsTitle: Life is a HighwaySize: 16" x20"Medium: Oil paint on canvas

In this piece I focused mainly on “the unseen” aspect of the aether, as well as my relationship with the earth, where do I come from and what am I made up of. The connection of the highway running up from the bottom of the piece and the head connecting into the clouds shows that there is really no real separation between where I am and where I can never be.

Artist: Renee FergusonTitle: UntitledSize: 9" x 12"Medium: Acrylic Paint

My intentions with this piece were to incorporate the meaning of Aether from Greek mythology, representing the divide between divine and mortal lives, as well as to make a statement on the significance of Deception within identity. The lack of human facial features on the figures, instead with depictions of physical elements, is meant to show the interconnection between our environment and who we are as people. The bright golden yellow, and the ladders leading to it can be seen as both a quest for the mysterious Aether, as well as the journey for one’s identity.dd text

Artist: Alyssa JansenTitle: World BeyondSize: 8" x10"Medium: acrylic

Aether is a strange state of matter that gives life to the world around it. I wanted to explore the idea of it being a place and someone exploring it.

Artist: Chloé Janse van RensburgTitle: “Serenity”Size: 16” x 20”Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Due to the state of disarray that the world currently in, I created this artwork to focus on the wonderful memories I have been able to make and to remind myself that there are more positive moments to come. The combination of a bright colour palette and organic, circular brushstrokes aid in conveying uplifting emotions, and the clouds act as a veil to momentarily cover and help me forget the longing I have for the things I was not able to do.

Artist: Janis KimTitle: "Skin Colour"Size: 12”x 16” canvas Media: Oil on canvas paper, cardstock, micron fineliner05 and 01 in black

The title of this piece is “Skin Colour”. It reminded me of a childhood bias of the “Peach” crayon was always called “skin colour”. I wanted to kind of flip that on its head and include a wider range of shades that would be considered “skin colour”.My piece ties more into deception because information is constantly censored. We are being deceived by our own society because we are constantly blinded by our endeavours to take the time to understand the struggles of others. We have this idealized idea of our world that never existed and it’s just biting us right back for doing so . I made a version of this piece in my journal while I was just trying to process what’s happening right now. Documenting my emotions, thoughts, just trying to reflect on myself and the world around me because these last few weeks have been so eye opening. I did not realize the degree to which I was guilty of being desensitized to injustices that did not directly affect me. I was heartbroken, angry, and in disbelief that saying the phrase “black lives matter” could strike up a debate. It should be no question that they matter. No one said other lives didn’t or that black lives mattered more. Just that they mattered; and the world went into chaos. The worst part is that George Floyd’s death was not the only contributor to these protests or riots, it was only the last straw before those who were silenced came forward. POC but especially black and indigenous people have endured centuries of racism, oppression, to which their successors still face the consequences to this day.

Artist: Jessica OldTitle: Control Size: 11 x 14 inches Medium: Acrylic on canvas

In Control, a relationship between a bust and an unseen demon is portrayed in a toxic light. I wanted the bust to be seen almost as the lifeless puppet of these ghostly hands, or clay to be sculpted through their intent. In my eyes Deception and The Aether can both relate to the something behind, much like the way control can have invisible influences.

Artist: Memphis Ramsden-SmithTitle: I am my own PersonSize: 8" X 5"Medium: Acrylic paint on canvas(Work in progress)

I tend to think in metaphors, and this was one that happened to pop into my head. I'm not always great at listening to other people, and often value my own thoughts over those of others. This painting depicts someone alone in space, talking on a telephone to themselves, representing the closed circle of only listening to myself, but also the deception that I am having a productive conversation.

Artist: Wesley RathwellTitle: Entertain MeMedium: Digital

The most eye-catching piece of the image is the large ABC logo located in the lower section. I placed down the different images randomly, with my eyes closed, in order to create a sense of chaos. The objects in the centrerepresent the media, taking front stage and trying to distract us from the harshness of reality, while the objects around the edges represent the violent, chaotic nature of our reality. As stated before, I placed all objects in the image randomly, meaning that I did not give any particular thought to the composition of the image. I chose to represent the concept of deception by having the media related objects be located front and center, while all objects located near the edges represent our violent, bitter world. This piece, along with much of my work, is in spired by Stanley Donwood's work in the late 1990's. That is all.

Artist: Tara LeachTitle: Sky Flowers 1 and 2Medium: Digital double exposures

These images depict what comes to mind when I say the word “aethereal” to myself. Looking up to the everchanging sky and down to the whimsical shapes and colours at my feet have been my gateways to the universe, to the aether, during this time of isolation and sheltering in place. My human interactions and movement might be limited physically, but I can escape through a flight of fancy at any time until my soul soars, simply by where and how I choose to look – at the sky above, or flowers below.

Artist: Ryan FlanneryTitle: The Moment Where Nothing IsSize: 10 ‘’ x 14 ‘’Media: Tincture, Watercolour, Biodegradable Glitter and Small lights

Connecting the body, spirit, and emotions into on synchronized moment. One crucial element is the use of tinctures in the work. Tinctures combine the medical and metaphysical properties of plants with liquid, making it possible for us to consume them. The Moment Where Nothing Is looks at the intentional vulnerability we create as to connect ourselves to intangible forces, which in doing so allows us to bring those very forces into our being.