Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Friday, October 4, 2013
The Consulate General of Poland in Toronto
The Consulate General of Poland in Toronto tweeted about my Gallery 44 Installation. WOW! That's pretty cool.
 |
Monday, September 30, 2013
Artist Statement for "Dawn/Dilapidation"
Next up: I am now focusing on my Dawn/Dilapidation project which has been generously supported by the Ontario Arts Council.
Artist Statement
Joyce Lau
Dawn/Dilapidation
Dawn/Dilapidation is a series of photo-based cut-outs
that depict varying visions of creation and destruction. Within this theme, this project further
delves into comparisons in the realm of the natural world versus that which
have been manmade.
The beauty
and complexity of the earth often identify creation, but simultaneously natural
disasters also continue to ravage the world in ways which humankind is
incapable of harnessing. Moreover, I want to explore the concept of creation in
modern society, with notions associated to the phrase "playing god."
For example, mules are considered a success story for the cross-breeding of
animals, but these mammals continue to be unnatural due to their sterility.
In addition,
on the flipside of creation, humankind has also generated many forms of
destructive devices and demonstrated a plethora of cataclysmic actions. Modern
technology has offered prestige and convenience, but it has resultantly often
led to a hierarchy, and in extreme circumstances, the negative consequences
have led human nature towards detonation.
The line
between creation and destruction can also be deceiving. Certain ideas related
to each polar opposite must be scrutinized, as creation can lead to destruction
and vice versa. Moreover, I would like to identify examples of modern
creation leading to destruction, such as with industrialized farming. Quantity
is the emphasis in such farming habits, where the quality and life expectancy
of the animals become neglected. The accidental development of Africanized
honey bees (a.k.a. killer bees) is another exemplification of the adverse
results of manmade creation.
Dawn/Dilapidation is a
project designed to challenge our ideas of beginnings and endings. From an image of a dense green forest
to the stark image of an empty room in Auschwitz, this series aims to compare
and contrast knowledge exposed through science and learned through events in
history to evoke contemplation on the philosophies of existence.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Kanada: Images from the day of install
Here are a couple of pics from installation day last week. I still need to document the final installation properly. Pics to come shortly!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Artist Statement for "Kanada" Installation
Kanada
Joyce Lau
"A
wealthy transport. Oh, this underwear, these shoes... and those eats. All I can
say is : Kanada!"
--overheard in the Clothing
Depot Kommando, Auschwitz-Birkenau, between 1942-1945[i]
In
2011, I travelled to Poland and visited Auschwitz-Birkenau. Preserved as a
memorial and museum, a portion of the site consists of rooms containing the
plunder of articles which had once belonged to prisoners. At the time of the
Holocaust, several dozen barracks which contained these items became known as
"Kanada," associating the goods with the riches and abundance of the
country. Entering into these rooms of the museum, you are confronted with
heaping collections of the sorted plunder, from shoes to suitcases, to personal
belongings such as shaving brushes and Nivea cream, to prosthetic limbs, and
even to hair shaved from the heads of prisoners. It is a sight that is
difficult to take in.
Initially,
my vision for this work was to utilize the glass display element of the vitrine
to insinuate the actual presentation of the objects in Auschwitz; however, as I
scrutinized the concept, I wanted to change the experience. In a room full of
plundered shoes, your eyes are bewildered and scan back and forth through the
clutter trying to grasp the enormity of what you are seeing. I want to help
eliminate that confusion, and also instigate a form of focus and contemplation
of individualisation. Instead of seeing a pile of shoes, I want viewers to
focus on a small section of the pile, and consider who may have worn that one
shoe that is in direct sight. I want to evoke an identity.
The
magnifying glass works to highlight and distinguish an element in the
photographs. It is also meant to bring attention to the fact that prisoners
were constantly watched by the SS guards. The voyeurism involved in staring
reminds us of their loss of freedom.
With
the addition of the vinyl blocking out the vitrines, a circular glow will
emanate from the magnifying glass of each of the three display cases to create
an ethereal mood. Moreover, the black vinyl creates a strong contrast between
light and dark. The association of light with the subject matter makes
allusions to hope and of a greater beyond.
The
intimate qualities that I aspire to achieve with this installation is my
reaction to the fact that the plunder was known as "Kanada." Although
it was meant as a nod to the glorious bounty of the country, as a Canadian
viewing such a horrible result of tyranny, I feel that it generates a vile
association. By attempting to personalize the items, and using illumination as
a crucial component to the presentation, I bring forth compassion, humility,
and promise.
[i]
Hermann Langbein, People in Auschwitz,
trans. Harry Zohn (Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press: Published
in association with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 2004), 140.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Modern Living!/ At Dusk, Hashtag Gallery, Aug 15-Sept 1, 2013
Getting excited for my upcoming show! My buddy Blair and I have always wanted to do a show together. And it's finally happening. The reception is next Thursday. Countdown.
Modern Living!/At Dusk
Blair McLean and Joyce Lau are artists from Toronto. The vision for their two-person show came about with their love for stark lines and dueling perceptions on the environment. Whether through intricate detailing in architectural structures with the use of a torch, or fine lines extracted from paper unveiling the feathers of a bird, McLean and Lau’s works invite and entice viewers to take a closer look.
At Dusk
Joyce Lau
Living in the city, I often crave to be closer to nature. The environment of Toronto only allows for a small dose of wildlife and exotic flora, so I let my imagination, memories, and knowledge of what lies beyond my immediate sphere of earthly creations to inspire my works. At the same time, I take notice on a daily basis of the collision of the earth with that which has been bestowed by man. With this body of work, I wanted to examine how humankind intersects with the natural world. Laced with an esoteric presence, the pieces further allude to moments captured when the sun sets. Drawing on my love of photography, iconography, rock and roll, and all things hand-made, At Dusk is also a reflection of my curiosity with textures and my re-conceptualization of traditional techniques.
Show runs August 15 - September 1st
Opening reception August 15 at 7pm - 11:30pm
801 Dundas St. W
Friday, August 2, 2013
Little Prince Newspaper Cut-out
 |
| Little Prince newspaper cut-out |
This is my tribute to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of one of my most beloved books: The Little Prince. I made this newspaper cut-out on Tuesday, July 31, on the anniversary of when he was last seen in 1944. At that time, he was a pilot for the Free French Air Force in North Africa, and he disappeared on his last mission on July 31, 1944. It is believed that he died that day.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Crâne de chèvre au crépuscule (Goat skull at dusk)
.jpg) |
| Crâne de chèvre au crépuscule (Goat skull at dusk), hand-cut paper, 3 layers, 19 x 25 inches, 2013 |
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Baphomet Taraxacum
 |
| Baphomet Taraxacum, hand-cut paper, 4 layers, 19 x 25 inches, 2013 |
 |
| Baphomet Taraxacum, hand-cut paper, 4 layers, 19 x 25 inches, 2013 (detail) |
This piece is a tribute to Georgia O'Keefe. Goat skulls and flowers, ever more.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Pins available at Hashtag Gallery
You can now buy my handmade pins online through Hashtag Gallery.
All pins are hand-cut paper on wood.
Check it out!
http://hashtaggallery.storenvy.com/collections/228372-joyce-lau
All pins are hand-cut paper on wood.
Check it out!
http://hashtaggallery.storenvy.com/collections/228372-joyce-lau
Monday, April 1, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
World's Fair #4
 |
| World's Fair #4, cut-out on vintage wrapping paper, 40 x 15 inches, 2013 |
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
10th Toronto Timeraiser
I'm super excited that one of my pieces has been selected to be a part of Toronto Timeraiser 2013!
10th Toronto Timeraiser
The Timeraiser is part volunteer fair, part silent art auction and part night on the town.
Throughout the evening, meet with different agencies and match your skills to their needs. Once you have made your matches, you are eligible to bid on artwork. The big twist is rather than bid money, you bid volunteer hours.
http://www.timeraiser.ca/toronto.html
10th Toronto Timeraiser
Friday March 22nd, 2013
Artscape Wychwood Barns
Artscape Wychwood Barns
The Timeraiser is part volunteer fair, part silent art auction and part night on the town.
Goals
Throughout the evening, meet with different agencies and match your skills to their needs. Once you have made your matches, you are eligible to bid on artwork. The big twist is rather than bid money, you bid volunteer hours.
http://www.timeraiser.ca/toronto.html
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Hello 2013!
 |
| Untitled, hand-cut paper, 10 x 8 inches, 2012 |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)