My Artist Statement, Cliff Derksen
Artistic Statement: Cliff Derksen May 2017
We all agree that imagination is integral in artistic creation, be it music, poetry, writing, or as in this case art.
Many of us have had the experience of growing up in an environment where imagination was downplayed, minimised or even discouraged. Possibly we’ve been told as I was that imagination was bad, out of control and a waste of time.
Yet I am here because of imagination. My very existence as to who I am today has to do with what happened in my imagination. That includes both my spiritual and artistic life. What a turnaround this has be thought-out my life.
My goal in this art show to communicate through imagination the basic truths and pillars of life and how we live it, inspired by my expression through visual art of who I am as a human being, body, soul mind and spirit.
Secondly, my goal is to spark and engage the imagination of those who come to see my art. We all have one of these you know, an imagination that is! I hope to encourage yours as the viewer and to allow yourself to be played so to speak by what you see, feel, think and emote as you search out truths you see in the art before you. Not only mine, but also in all the art in this room, as a whole, as communicated by each artist and also each piece that you see.
In 2010 after I moved into my Clifton studio I exploded with creative energy, working in clay, creating ceramic sculptures. It’s undeniable that a basic underlying influence is my theological training, Biblical characters appearing here and there. Another huge influence in my art is the loss of our 13 year old daughter who was murdered in 1984. Beginning with the 2010 Preliminary Hearing my artistic activities were kick started into a kind of frenetic level.
My creative process usually begins with a question or issue, My imagination becomes engaged as I look for an image or metaphor I can express in clay. It is in the "whole process" of sculpting the piece that these issues begin to get "processed." As the piece progresses, I gain new perspectives and understandings. The piece then becomes a visual testimony of an active imagination, change, healing and growth. This healing aspect of art has been a huge surprise to me. Now as I think back, this process of creative imagination has been integral to the measure of emotional health I've been able to maintain in dealing with the curve balls life has thrown at me.
My hope is my work will engage your imagination, resulting in creative endeavors. For I have come to understand that freedom to imagine is healing. So, let's get creative!
Exhibitions:
- 2016 April, At The Edge Art Gallery, Winnipeg, MB, Group Exhibition: Odia Reimer, Wilma Derksen
- 2015 May 3 - 14 Group Exhibition with Odia Reimer & Wilma Derksen. "Suspended: it is about pursuit." at Frame Art Warehouse, Winnipeg MB
- 2014 April 12 - 27 Group Exhibition with Odia Reimer & Wilma Derksen. "Inexplicable: It is About Healing" Frame Art Warehouse, Winnipeg MB
- 2012 June 1 – August 10, “Project Angel” Altona Gallery in the Park, Altona MB
- 2012 October 12 ”Holy Ground”, Calling to Connect Banquet, Inner City Youth Alive. Winnipeg MB
- 2012 Group Exhibition “Indescribable – it is about murder” MHC Gallery, Winnipeg MB
- 2008 Group Exhibition “Resilience”, Mennonite Heritage Art Gallery, Winnipeg MB
- 2002 Group Exhibition “(Dis)Comfort”, Mennonite Heritage Art Gallery, Winnipeg MB
Education:
- 2005 – Jordan Van Sewell series of classes in advanced sculpting with clay.
Membership:
- 2016 - present: Artist in Residence at St. Aidan's Christian School
- 2012 – present: Manitoba Craft Council, Winnipeg MB
We all agree that imagination is integral in artistic creation, be it music, poetry, writing, or as in this case art.
Many of us have had the experience of growing up in an environment where imagination was downplayed, minimised or even discouraged. Possibly we’ve been told as I was that imagination was bad, out of control and a waste of time.
Yet I am here because of imagination. My very existence as to who I am today has to do with what happened in my imagination. That includes both my spiritual and artistic life. What a turnaround this has be thought-out my life.
My goal in this art show to communicate through imagination the basic truths and pillars of life and how we live it, inspired by my expression through visual art of who I am as a human being, body, soul mind and spirit.
Secondly, my goal is to spark and engage the imagination of those who come to see my art. We all have one of these you know, an imagination that is! I hope to encourage yours as the viewer and to allow yourself to be played so to speak by what you see, feel, think and emote as you search out truths you see in the art before you. Not only mine, but also in all the art in this room, as a whole, as communicated by each artist and also each piece that you see.
In 2010 after I moved into my Clifton studio I exploded with creative energy, working in clay, creating ceramic sculptures. It’s undeniable that a basic underlying influence is my theological training, Biblical characters appearing here and there. Another huge influence in my art is the loss of our 13 year old daughter who was murdered in 1984. Beginning with the 2010 Preliminary Hearing my artistic activities were kick started into a kind of frenetic level.
My creative process usually begins with a question or issue, My imagination becomes engaged as I look for an image or metaphor I can express in clay. It is in the "whole process" of sculpting the piece that these issues begin to get "processed." As the piece progresses, I gain new perspectives and understandings. The piece then becomes a visual testimony of an active imagination, change, healing and growth. This healing aspect of art has been a huge surprise to me. Now as I think back, this process of creative imagination has been integral to the measure of emotional health I've been able to maintain in dealing with the curve balls life has thrown at me.
My hope is my work will engage your imagination, resulting in creative endeavors. For I have come to understand that freedom to imagine is healing. So, let's get creative!
Exhibitions:
- 2016 April, At The Edge Art Gallery, Winnipeg, MB, Group Exhibition: Odia Reimer, Wilma Derksen
- 2015 May 3 - 14 Group Exhibition with Odia Reimer & Wilma Derksen. "Suspended: it is about pursuit." at Frame Art Warehouse, Winnipeg MB
- 2014 April 12 - 27 Group Exhibition with Odia Reimer & Wilma Derksen. "Inexplicable: It is About Healing" Frame Art Warehouse, Winnipeg MB
- 2012 June 1 – August 10, “Project Angel” Altona Gallery in the Park, Altona MB
- 2012 October 12 ”Holy Ground”, Calling to Connect Banquet, Inner City Youth Alive. Winnipeg MB
- 2012 Group Exhibition “Indescribable – it is about murder” MHC Gallery, Winnipeg MB
- 2008 Group Exhibition “Resilience”, Mennonite Heritage Art Gallery, Winnipeg MB
- 2002 Group Exhibition “(Dis)Comfort”, Mennonite Heritage Art Gallery, Winnipeg MB
Education:
- 2005 – Jordan Van Sewell series of classes in advanced sculpting with clay.
Membership:
- 2016 - present: Artist in Residence at St. Aidan's Christian School
- 2012 – present: Manitoba Craft Council, Winnipeg MB
