As a traveller and later as an immigrant to Canada, artist Rosanna Marmont became enthralled by the landscape – particularly in Western Canada.
“The infinite space and luminous distant horizons were allegories of yearning, of greener-grass on-the-other-side, of a search for new beginnings,” says Marmont in her artist’s statement. “The subliminal nature of empty expansive land simultaneously enticed and estranged, evoking the feeling of insignificance as well as the desire to lay claim to and create permanence.”
Marmont, whose paintings and ceramic sculptures are featured in SAGA Public Art Gallery’s June exhibition “Land/Landed/Landless,” emigrated to Canada from New Zealand in 2000, but had lived in this country for two years previously.
“We moved a lot, says the artist, who obtained a bachelor of fine arts from Montreal’s Concordia University.
A resident of both Falkland and Montreal, Marmont says she is not interested in showing work that is just easy to look at.
“I want people to think more at it,” she says.
Since graduating in 2009, her study of material, technique and medium has been ongoing.
Marmont has been tutored by Montreal woodcarver Bob Comeau, learning how to treat wood surfaces and sculpt in 3-D. She has also assisted in the studio of conceptual ceramicist Carmela Laganse and apprenticed for six months under Saskatchewan ceramicist and wood firer Martin Tagseth.
“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to be given a solo show, I have a large body of work and this is really good for me,” she says. “Salmon Arm seems to be a community that definitely promotes the arts.”
Marmont says she is very much looking forward to the artist talk and slide show, which takes place Thursday, June 7 at 2 p.m.
“Land/Landed/Landless” opens Friday, June 1 at 7 p.m. and runs until Saturday, June 30. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Family Saturdays, the free drop-in, art-making program for families with young children continues from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.