An installation in Gallery II, May 12 – June 23, 2023

Reception/Meet the Artist: Saturday May 27, 2pm-4pm

From May 12 to June 23 Sivarulrasa Gallery is pleased to present Sue Adams: Early Works 1991-1998. This exhibition delves into a pivotal early period in Almonte-based artist Sue Adams‘ trajectory as a sculptor. Working primarily with the human form, Sue Adams’ work explores the beauty and agony of the human experience. Her sculptures and drawings explore themes of passion, pain, frailty and grace. Four works completed during this period – two figurative works in hydrocal and two works that employ plexiglass – are the central works in the installation.

Sue Adams studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Nice, France in 1973 and completed her BFA at the University of Windsor in 1976. Over the past four decades, her work has been exhibited in many group and solo exhibitions in Canada, including in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal, and in the United States and France.

Artist Statement by Sue Adams – The period from 1991-98

This was a tumultuous period of my life. My children were very young and my late husband, very ill with Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

Prior to this time, I was doing large figurative mixed media pieces as well as experimenting with the use of light. I would often use old X-rays, lit from behind and contained in a thin box-like frame, hung on a wall and overlayed with plexiglass.

It was a natural transition then to start to experiment with plexiglass. I had always loved engraving at university and started to play with shapes and images as well as movement. I became fascinated by what I could incorporate onto them and by the constant shifting and reflective qualities of the plexiglass itself.

Then in 1993, there was a horrible fire here in Almonte. My work had just been installed in one of the old woollen mills, directly above where the fire started. Almost everything I had was either completely destroyed or badly damaged.

I never went back to plexiglass after that.

After that and still fascinated by the human figure, I briefly began working with found objects and the occasional cast of a body part. I quickly discovered however, that I would ditch any mould or cast and build up my pieces from scratch.

I have a natural ability to recall when it comes to anatomy, so I worked and still do, without the use of a model.

From there, the work has poured out of me and continues to, to this day.

Reception/Meet the Artist: Saturday May 27, 2pm-4pm. Artist Sue Adams will be in attendance.

Guided Talk & Studio Tour: Sunday June 11, 2pm-4pm. This special event will be held at the artist’s studio near Almonte. Registration is required – please email us at [email protected] to register.

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