Christopher Webb’s latest solo exhibition opening at Gallery 78 will include sound and spoken word performances.
This weekend, in the midst of the East Coast Music Awards in Fredericton, Maritime artist Christopher Webb will open a new exhibition of paintings that will incorporate sounds made by a trio of musicians and a local spoken word artist.
“I have too many friends who are writers and musicians to be so bold as to consider myself either,” says Webb, from his studio located just outside of Halifax.
“This exhibition of new paintings stemmed from a 15-line piece of prose that I wrote that is an attempt at defining love. As I started working on the paintings I heard sound. It started as whispers but as I spent time developing the paintings, the sounds became more amplified.”
Webb, who wrote the musical annotation for the performance piece, will be one of the people performing it at the opening this Friday at Gallery 78 Fine Art in Fredericton.
“Germaine and Nikki at Gallery 78 have been extremely trusting in my vision of the exhibition. What started originally as a solo exhibition of new paintings has evolved into something that is now a lot more involved,” said Webb.
The gallery, which has been in operation since 1976, has hosted many exhibitions, but believes that this one will be particularly unique.
“This is the type of exhibition that you may be used to seeing at a public institution like the Beaverbrook or a university art gallery,” said Germaine Pataki-Thériault, Director at Gallery 78 Fine Art. “We are excited by the opportunity to present an exhibition that has a performative element. Christopher is in the midst of a significant turning point in his career and we are thrilled to be a part of it. Although the performance is not overly long, it promises to be powerful!”
Helping to bring the sound to life will be celebrated Saint John poet and playwright Clyde A. Wray.
“I made a connection with Clyde and he was gracious enough to lend his voice and help take my words off the page at the opening,” said Webb. “He is such a prolific and important writer and voice in our region. To have him be a part of this event is meaningful and extremely humbling.”
Two local musicians, cellist Emma Johnson and violinist Ali Johnson will also use their talents to help create this sound art experience.
Webb’s exhibition And You opens this Friday, May 6 at 5 p.m. at Gallery 78 Fine Art located at 796 Queen Street in Fredericton with a performance is set to take place at 6:30 p.m. on the same evening.
Also opening this weekend: Petals & Lace by Joanne Hunt & Susan Paterson.
For more information visit www.gallery78.com
Cover Image: “And the hope”, oil and acrylic on canvas, paper, 18″ x 36″, 2022 (cropped)
