Further Views, one of the latest exhibits at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre features artwork showcasing a collection of local spots around town. Some are instantly recognizable as Revelstoke and some might need a bit more exploring before landmarks shift into place.
“I had already been working on this body of work of reflections,” Emilie Fantuz told Revelstoke Mountaineer. “We wanted to incorporate Revelstoke specifically because we have a bigger vision of a more diverse representation of different places in Canada.”
The exhibit featured in the main gallery is the combined work of Emilie and her partner Mike Fantuz, both visual artists from Vancouver who specialize in palette knife paintings. Further Views focuses on shining a new perspective on familiar places.
“It’s about the idea of reflection and maps and knowing your place,” Emilie explained. The collection shows window reflections, aerial night images and even a panorama view painted over flight maps, all working together to speak about place.
Emilie’s pieces in particular place the artist within the reflection, a partially recognizable figure in a scene that at times feels disjointed. It’s an important element in a series of paintings focused on areas she’s often a visitor to, Emilie said.
“I think there’s a sensitivity to coming to somewhere you’re not from…you don’t really know it like you would if you grew up there. It’s that recognition that this is my experience here, what I’m noticing, but it’s not my place.”
Revelstoke came on Emilie and Mike’s radar as a future art showcase after hearing about Lacey Jane Wilburn’s Shelter in Place show. They both jumped at the opportunity to explore the town and see how it might fit into the growing collection that would become Further Views. Charcoal and sketchbooks in hand to help sketch out some studies of the area, one particular scene jumped out at Emilie as she toured downtown. The painting of Revy Outdoors helped capture a collection of characteristics Emilie wanted to highlight.
“I love that you can see the town in the background, and the mountains. Then the mannequins, these skiers being such a huge focus. Before we even left, I knew that that window was going to be a painting.”
Mike used his 20 years of air traffic control experience, commercial pilot flying and drone operator time to get a rarely-seen view of Revelstoke. While looking down on town from the surrounding mountains is a favourite perspective, getting a look of Revelstoke from the air can add a sense of unfamiliarity. Add the shadows of nighttime and familiar landscapes can take on new shapes.
“When you can see the profile of the city, it’s easier to identify. As soon as you eliminate the horizon and become more focused on what is on the ground, you become more disoriented,” Mike said. “I had people coming into the studio while I was working on the series and they were convinced they were looking at a spot in Vancouver. Then I’m explaining to them that they’re looking at Revelstoke.”
Further Views also showcases Mike’s work with air traffic maps, a medium taking advantage of intricate detailed maps that can only be used for 56 days before being discarded.
“There’s so much data, so many landmarks that are super specific to a region in that timeframe that others might not be aware of,” Mike said. “Again, using that as a way to create a different view of a place.”
Setting up the show at Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre has been a joy, both said, highlighting the support from arts centre staff and volunteers. Meghan Porath, RVAS’ executive director and curator staged and hung the show, laying out the collection in a way Emilie and Mike said best shares the conversation the collection tells. They’re both thankful for how friendly Revelstoke has been during their visits.
“We’ve talked with so many lovely people when we go around town taking photographs, some really great spots for coffee, some great character points in Revelstoke,” Emilie said.
Catch Further Views at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre now until Sunday, July 7.
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