MINTO – The Minto Arts Gallery will be opening its doors to two artists who express their creative passion through nature.
Anasuya Bhima and Siobhan Djukic are the two artists who will be showcasing their pieces at the Bound by Nature exhibition from March 6 to 28.
Although the friends share similarities in the finished products, their mediums and styles differ in many ways.
“It’s all connected to nature,” Bhima said referring to her artwork.
Her love for the beach also plays a big part in her pieces.
She explained her art as being mixed media as she incorporates real sand, sea shells and tops some of her work with a resin finish.
“It’s also fluid art,” Bhima explained.
After applying last year for a solo show, but being too late for scheduling, she was ecstatic to receive an email from the Minto Arts Gallery giving her the opportunity to display her work.
She got the good news on her birthday in October and noted it was “the best gift she ever received.”
Bhima sees the Minto community as her “lucky charm” because of how her artwork has sold there previously.
Bhima has been pursuing art on the side for the last five years all while being a college professor.
“This has been my interest since my teens,” she said.
Over the years her collection has grown but not to the size needed to complete a solo show – which is where her friend Djukic comes in. Together they have more than enough to display.
Siobhan Djukic
“I work with modeling paste and acrylic paint,” Djukic told the Advertiser.
Djukic has mastered her technique of adding acrylic paint to the modeling paste, creating a 3D effect in her art. She fell in love with the way the tools worked together.
She enjoys creating floral scenes with “lots flowers and plants,” including vibrant colours that attract the eye.
“I grew up in Ireland and that’s always been my inspiration for my art,” she explained.
The meaning behind the exhibit’s name speaks to how the friends are equally influenced and bounded by nature and “all the beautiful things around us.”
Djukic and Bhima both had a passion for creating in childhood, but ultimately began their artistic journey during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the last couple of years Djukic has been improving her work and coming up with her own style.
“I work full time as an event planner but … I spend as much time as I can painting,” she added.
Djukic plans to retire in a few years and pursue her art career full time.
But for now she stays excited for the upcoming exhibition and noted the process leading up has been helpful.
“It was really interesting working towards deadlines … I discovered that I’m actually able to paint way faster than I thought I could under pressure,” she said.
According to Djukic, finding a space to exhibit one’s artwork is a difficult task, and she appreciates the gallery staff for the opportunity.
“We’re very excited to share our work with the local community,” she said.
For more information about the gallery’s upcoming exhibition visit the Minto Arts Gallery website at mintoartscouncil.ca.
