Written by Inbal Newman
The word “craft” suggests humbleness. Whether referring to household items or handmade decorations, it brings to mind the things we keep around us daily. However, in the hands of three South Shore artists who combine a heaping portion of skill with a pinch of whimsy, craftsmanship and fine art effortlessly co-exist. Artists Carley Mullally, Gillian Maradyn-Jowsey of Lunenburg, and Inbal Newman of Mahone Bay create a cozy world contained within the finely-crafted pieces in Crafts___Ship, a group exhibition now on display at St. Mary’s University Art Gallery.
Every visitor will have some familiarity with the kinds of domestic objects on display like pottery, quilts, rugs and wallpaper. Some visitors may even recognize craft techniques like crochet and sailmaker’s stitching or locally relevant materials like lobster bands and a wooden dory. “Basically anything you would find washed up on the beach,” describes Mullally of their supplies. Yet the artists weave clever touches into each piece that breathe fresh perspective into an exhibit of traditional crafts.
The smaller side gallery, set up as a workshop, offers a peek into what fuels the exhibited pieces. Here, visitors can look closer at tools, materials, and inspirations. Sketchbook pages, schedules, and photos fill every wall alongside books on ceramics, fancy knots, and expressions of Lunenburg County. This room provides a visual insight into the artists' process not often shown in galleries and welcomes visitors into the studio environment where artwork first takes shape.
Meticulous hand-crafting and process is a central theme of the show, though playfulness shares an equally important role. The name of the exhibit itself offers a kind of madlib, with “man” removed from the center of “Craftsmanship” to emphasize crafts and South Shore culture while leaving the rest as a fill-in-the-blank. The union of serious skill and fun transforms everyday objects like rugs, quilts, and flags into extraordinary works of art.
Crafts___Ship is on view at St. Mary’s University Art Gallery until April 16, 2023. Gallery hours are 11 am - 5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. See smuartgallery.ca for details.
