Jen Mykolyshyn had a framing job for Scott Walling at The Space gallery in Haliburton – but ended up doing a month-long artist in residence that will culminate with a show March 1.
She recalls having a conversation with Walling about the art she likes to make, but her apprehension about sharing it.
“Through discussion, this became an opportunity,” she said of the residency. At the time, she wasn’t making a lot of art at home, but when she was, it was in isolation.
While somewhat out of her comfort zone, she was excited at the prospect of making art in the gallery space, with people wandering in and out.
Enter gallery owner and former Haliburton School of Art + Design employee, Walling.
“I have always had an affinity for helping other artists follow through a process or get a different perspective. And I had the space and I didn’t have anything planned. Jen came in and started talking to me about some of her ideas and I went, ‘oh, I can make this a thing’.” The artist residency concept was birthed, with Mykolyshyn being the first.
She set up shop at the beginning of the month.
From Walling’s perspective, he said he has helped to “bring her back out of trying to hone things in too much. Getting too small with things. Just go big. She has a little reminder in there that says ‘don’t censor yourself.’ When it got hidden, she said, ‘oh yeah, I have to bring it back out again’.”
Mykolyshyn added it’s been nice to have someone with experience, who is “really good at coming in and offering an alternative, when I get stunted in some way. He’ll ask, ‘have you considered this or tried that?’ and it’s very respectful of what I’m trying to accomplish. It’s not coming out of left field or anything. It’s incredibly helpful. As a person who gets stuck a lot, it’s really nice to have those nudges. It really accelerates things. If I didn’t have that, I would probably be moving at a snail’s pace.”
She has also enjoyed interacting with the public, including other artists. “It’s lovely to speak with other creatives and hear their feedback, but also learn about what they’re doing; just a really good opportunity for connection.”
Asked to describe the art she has been working on, Mykolyshyn said it is collage with a twist.
“I’ve always been into figure art, figurative distraction, erotic material. When I was younger, I really liked heavy metal magazines and images of women with swords, dragons, unicorns. Fantasy. Recently, I got my hands on some vintage adult magazines.
“I also fish. I hunt. I used to be an environmental technician. Somehow these two things seem to be merging; creating these creatures, removing the sex, and becoming creatures or deities.
“As a kid, I spent a lot of time in my room alone being creative. I would cut up my toys and Frankenstein them back together with glue. I’m kind of doing that now. It’s fun. It’s joy.”
As for a first-ever solo art exhibition, she added, “it is weird for me but I’m excited about it when I think in terms of exposure and sharing and conversation and connection.”
The exhibit:
Dream of Something Wild closing reception March 1, 6-8 p.m. (artist talk 7 p.m.) at The Space gallery, 173 Highland St. Unit B (underneath Redmans Records). It is an 18+ event due to some of the art content.
