Joyce Westrop | Universe V: transference

The Ottawa School of Art Gallery presents Universe V: transference, a solo sculpture/print installation by Joyce Westrop from March 11 to April 17, 2004. Vernissage: Thursday, March 18 from 5 to 7pm.

In this site-specific installation Westrop integrates sculpture with printmaking. She questions how much of the meaning that we project onto the cosmos, the plate, can be transferred to its mirror-image, the print? Westrop observes the human need to be at the center of their own universe, making themselves part of the Grand Design and reflects this in the prints she has created.

Universe V comes out a body of work that Westrop has been pursuing over the last few years. In her artist statement, she explains her starting point. "As the equal domain of science and poetry, I started the Universe series by combining those two attributes. I used steel to symbolize the cold vastness of space when compressed to a sixteenth of an inch. Both Astronomy and Astrology are present in the star charts that I drew onto the steel by welding."

Using printmaking in this installation has allowed Westrop to explore the relationship between the original and the copy. The steel plates, like found objects, have their own history. Yet, the marks that they transfer to the prints are new. "We are looking for ourselves among the stars. I am interested in how this reflects from the plates to the prints.", writes Westrop.

Joyce Westrop gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the City of Ottawa. Universe V: transference marks the Ottawa based artist's second solo exhibition. Ms Westrop's drawings have been recently exhibited at the CentrePoint Gallery in Nepean.

Contact:
Gallery Coordinator
Ottawa School of Art: (613) 241-7471
e-mail: osagallery@artottawa.ca