Lost and Found
By Tommy Fleger, Lesley Bergen and Kellie Kruger
Dates Showing: Novmeber 1st - 20th 2011
Reception Date: November 5th 2011 5-9pm
Lost and Found features the Eco/Folk art of three Chestermere Art Guild members: Tommy Fleger, Lesley Bergen and Kellie Kruger. Each artist brings a unique vision to the gallery space, creating an instillation of what once may have been viewed as garbage, now recreated and brought back to life in a brand new form. Fleger is a master upholsterer, working out of his studio in Chestermere. Desiring to bring creativity into his work, Fleger began reupholstering chairs in used clothing such as suits or ties, recreating the once forgotten furniture with an almost human like appearance. Fleger sees himself in the work he creates: "When I take something perceived as worthless and I rework it into something of value, I feel as I am repairing myself in the process. This show is a rebirth for me."
Glass artist Kellie Kruger hopes her art will transform the viewer’s perception of a broken glass bottle. The concept of recycled eco-art came alive to Kruger when her husband had a heart attack in 2004. They spent 6 months of his recovery walking the coulees collecting almost a hundred years worth of shattered glass remains. The area was a coal mining community where 3500 miners lived from the 20’s to the 60‘s. Collecting pieces of glass the miners discarded in dumping areas captures an interesting part of early Alberta history. Kruger then takes these found pieces of glass and reinvents them into mosaic glass windows. Bergen also reuses to create one of a kind hooked rugs. She brings her creations to life by taking advantage of discarded cloth and other fibers. Bergen is a mainly self taught artist whose artistic journey has carried her all across Canada. Created in Montreal, her bright colored hooked rugs draw inspiration from artists such as Van Gogh and Klimt.
All guests invited to wear their favorite vintage outfit!
