About | Pat Loucks Artist

Artist Statement

The direction I have chosen to take in my art practice reflects my interest in searching for and recording changing conditions in the natural landscape around me. Taking the time to observe and experience elements such as slowly shifting light patterns, the movement of water, subtle movements of small life forms, the effects of human intervention on the land, I develop fluid lines and markings that express the energy and often unexpected shifts in the appearance of the landscape.

When I then go to my workspace to start to make a piece, I can intuitively and spontaneously make marks, patterns and forms in response to what I have experienced. As an artist who works primarily with fibre and textiles, I create my visual vocabulary using techniques such as dyeing, printing, stitching, appliqué, cutting and reassembling.

I aim for an abstract interpretation of my subject and often zero in on a small section or a close-up view of the element I have in mind.

Curriculum Vitae

Selected Exhibition History

Solo:

2019: Unearthed, Galeria do Castelo de Portalegre, Portalegre, Portugal

2018: Land Patterns, Gallery 1919, Halifax NS.

2018: Recent Works, Fraser Cultural Centre, Tatamagouche, NS

2016: Imagining This Place, Castelo de Portalegre, Portalegre, Portugal

2015: Skin Deep, Casa de Arte, Mertola, Portugal

2014: Skin Deep, Clube Sesimbrense, Sesimbra, Portugal

2013: Skin Deep, Galeria de Exposicoes Temporarias, Portalegre, Portugal

2010: Common Ground, Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, Canning, NS

2009: Escritas em Seda e Prata, Convento das Servas de Cristo, Borba, Portugal

2008: Land/Marks, Artsplace, Annapolis Royal, NS

Juried and Group:

2019: Nets, Knots and Webs, Scott Manor House Museum, Bedford, NS

2018: Flow, World of Threads International, Oakville, ON, curators Dawne Rudman, Gareth Bate

2016: World of Threads International, Oakville ON, curators Dawne Rudman, Gareth Bate

2015: Edge of the Forest, Richmond Hill Centre for the Arts, Richmond Hill, ON

2014: World of Threads International, Oakville ON

2012: World of Threads International, Oakville, ON

2011: All Beings Confluence, Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, AB

2011: Inside and Out, CAMAC Centre d’Art, Marnay sur Seine, France

2009: Obras Arte, Claustro do Edificio da Camara, Estremoz, Portugal

Residencies:

2015: One month residency at Convento de Mertola, Portugal, a centre for artists to create work in an ecologically diverse setting. Artists work independently on a self-directed project. I made use of the extensive gardens on the property to experiment with plant dyes on paper and silk fabrics. I created a series of stitched and plant dyed journals with my papers and showed some textile work at a local gallery.

2014: One month residency at MAE Artist residency, Sesimbra, Portugal. Here I worked alone in a converted fisherman’s shed. Sesimbra is a fishing village on the coast near Lisbon. I created textile works reflecting my surroundings – observing the daily arrival of fishing boats with their catch, locals barbecuing sardines on the streets, walking the beaches. I had a show of some textile work in a local gallery and the town library.

2012: and 2009: One month residencies at Foundation Obras, Evoramonte, Portugal. Created new work and networked with other artists working in various media, met local musicians, painters. Created a large installation work on the property (2009) and a textile studio installation (2012). Participated in two group exhibitions and a solo exhibition.

2011: One month residency at Camac Foundation, Marnay sur Seine, France. Self-directed work, networked with other residency artists. Participated in a group exhibition. Visited galleries in Paris and other cities.

2010: Two month residency at Capt. Wm. Spry Library, Halifax. Workshops for student and adult groups. Worked on personal textile project. Organized an exhibition of student work.

Awards/Grants:

2013: Arts Nova Scotia, Presentation Grant

2011: Tenot Foundation (France) Artist-in-Residence Grant

2010: Atlantic Spinners and Handweavers, Bursary

2009: Nova Scotia Dept. of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Creation Grant

2008: Nova Scotia Dept. of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, Prof. Development Grant

2007: ArtsSmarts, Artist-in-the-Schools Grant

2003: Canada Council for the Arts Prof. Development Grant

Education:

1994: NSCADU, Halifax: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Textiles Major

Professional Development:

2011: Dragoon AZ, Navajo Weaving workshop with Barbara Teller Ornelas

2006: Haystack Mountain School of Craft, Maine, USA, workshop: Constructed Line, Drawing Through Process, with Warren Selig.

2005: Haystack Mtn. School of Craft, workshop: Image and Structure on the Loom with Lia Cook.

2003: Haystack Mtn. School of Craft, workshop: tapestry with Helena Hernmarck

2002: Haystack Mtn. School of Craft, workshop: Creating a Sense of Place, Mixed Media with Arturo Sandoval

2000: Haystack Mtn. School of Craft, workshop: The Art Quilt with Pamela Studstill

Professional Affiliations:

CARFAC

Fiberart Now

VANS

Textile Artist.org

NS Printmakers