An installation in Gallery II, July 7 – August 11, 2023

Reception/Meet the Artist: Saturday July 15, 2pm-4pm

From July 7 to August 11, Sivarulrasa Gallery is pleased to present Elaine Carr: In Unexpected Places, an installation by Windsor-based artist Elaine Carr that considers the delicate connections among beaver dams, rivers, ecosystems and the concept of home.

Elaine Carr earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Windsor, and her Master of Arts degree, Arts and Culture, at Holy Names College, Oakland, California. Her work examines geographic and topographic narratives of land and water as they interact with human lives. She builds up drawings and mixed media works, piecing together fragments from the past and the present, from historical and geographical data, collected photographs, cartography, and memory. Her works are held in public and private collections in Canada, the United States, and Europe.

The artist gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ontario Arts Council.

Artist Statement by Elaine Carr

I am inspired by the natural world and our relationship to its ever-changing and evolving landscape. A favourite activity is exploring the meandering patterns that emerge in and next to bodies of water.

In this body of work, I consider the intricate and delicate connections among beaver dams, rivers, ecosystems and the concept of home. Through drawing and mapping I discover the relationships and the beauty and significance of these natural phenomena.

Beaver dams are both architectural wonders and ecological keystones, shaping the environment in profound ways. These ingenious structures create a thriving ecosystem transforming rivers into intricate networks that support diverse flora and fauna. Through observation and documentation I aim to understand the beaver’s innate ability to mould its surroundings to suit its needs thereby blurring the boundaries between human and animal ingenuity.

In my drawings and photographs I seek to capture the details and organic forms that constitute the dams. The detailed lines and textures within each piece reflect the beaver’s craftsmanship, revealing the immense complexity within these seemingly simple structures.

Maps play a significant role in my work. They allow me to chart the interconnected web of relationships between lakes and rivers. In my recent work, cartographic representations reveal the interconnectedness and complex networks that beavers create and illustrate the profound impact beavers have on their environment. The maps serve as visual narratives through the intricate pathways of these ecosystems and encouraging a deeper understanding of the delicate balance of nature.

Central to my work is the exploration of the concept of home. Beaver dams epitomize the idea of home building. They are a sanctuary where beavers find safety, sustenance and shelter. Drawing attention to the beaver’s instinctual drive to create a home, invites reflection on our own notion of home and the role it plays in shaping and preserving our own.

I find beauty in unexpected places and see the complex relationship between ourselves, the land and water.

Reception/Meet the Artist: Saturday July 15, 2pm-4pm. Artist Elaine Carr will be in attendance.

Contact the Gallery: Call us at 613-256-8033 or email [email protected] for queries about the works below, or visit our Virtual Gallery.