CENTRE WELLINGTON – An artist from Lethbridge, Newfoundland has brought her colourful, textile traditional pieces to Elora for all to enjoy.
Symbiosis by Anastasia Tiller is the recent exhibition hosted by the Elora Centre for the Arts.
The gallery will be filled with Tiller’s immersive installation of paintings and textiles until Sept. 15.
“I’m inspired by the natural world of flora and fauna, geological history, Newfoundland and Labrador and specifically Bonavista Peninsula where I have my studio,” Tiller told the Advertiser.
The Bonavista Peninsula is on the east coast of the island, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and home to diverse ecosystems and underwater creatures which inspired her artwork.
Tiller merged traditional Newfoundland rug hooking techniques with contemporary artistic interpretations, to create a “fantastical world,” she stated.
She also drew inspiration from the recently found fossils on the island, “telling stories of life forms from over 500 million years ago.”
The exhibition differs from others by allowing guests to touch, feel and play with the work before them.
When asked what she would like people to gain from the exhibit, Tiller said, “let’s play, let’s not take things always so serious, there should be room for playfulness and creativity.”
Visitors are encouraged to interact and physically engage with the pieces; to wear, hug and play with them.
Symbiosis means living together – a term used to describe a close, ongoing relationship between different species, states her exhibition statement.
Tiller wants guests to enter a “unique” and “thought-provoking” journey of the “symbiotic relationship” between nature and humanity.
“I was always very creative and was surrounded by creativity,” Tiller added reminiscing on her childhood.
Exhibition curator Sylvia Galbraith met Tiller several years ago during a Newfoundland artist residency.
“I was really struck by the playfulness of her work,” Galbraith told the Advertiser.
Colourful, bright and fun, were the goals for this summer’s gallery and Galbraith’s mind went to Tiller’s work.
But with shipping and expenses she wasn’t sure Tiller would be up for it.
“I reached out to her and she immediately said yes,” said Galbraith. “They (the artwork) arrived on a truck, we unpacked them, let them fluff up after their long journey and here they are.”
Galbraith struggled finding the right places to hang and suspend the pieces, mentioning the importance of being able to “look through the gallery.”
“It’s the toughest show that I’ve ever had to hang,” she added.
Because the artwork was made for touching, Galbraith had to make sure the suspended pieces were at the right height for adults and children.
She explained the “steady stream” of guests admiring Tiller’s work, especially the children in summer camps.
“So many people are afraid of art galleries … you go in and you can’t touch anything, you can’t interact,” she said. “It’s intimidating.”
The arts centre aims to create shows “people can relate to,” she added.
Tiller’s work has been featured in many exhibitions including the 2023 Bonavista Biennale, a rural-based, public art event that occurs every two years in the peninsula.
Her Bonavista Biennale piece The Hugger was recently bought by Newfoundland’s provincial gallery The Room Museum and Art Gallery.
Because The Hugger is her signature piece, Galbraith asked if she could bring it to the gallery. Unfortunately, because it had been sold she wasn’t able to.
That didn’t stop Tiller from making a second hugger for the show, starting her process in February.
“I don’t know how she did that, she must have been working 24/7,” said Galbraith expressing her gratitude for the artwork.
Tiller made many of the pieces new for the show, she added.
“You can be who you want because it’s play, it’s not that serious,” Tiller said.
