Art can come from a deep place, usually something meaningful with a personal connotation; similarly, Holly Pichette and Joanna Skiba’s art installations came from a place within. An opportunity to express themselves through art.

This evening the Tap Centre for Creativity hosted two art installations in collaboration with Emerging Artists Studio Program.

Installation 1: Go Nuts for Donuts

Go Nuts for Donuts by Joanna Skiba was the product of her love for donuts and not wanting to go on a diet. The food is “strictly sugar and fat based” as a donut and her art work is much like her diet that “ranges from bright blacklit drawings to plush sculptures”.

The series of drawings and seat create a place for happiness and Skiba swears by it.

As an artist who is growing up, she says that the art wants to give everyone an opportunity to be happy and colourful and not be sad about growing old.

As for the art, the drawings took her roughly 80 hours each and recommends setting a deadline, so you don’t let laziness get the best of you, like it did her.

The donut seats were replicas of the art by Skiba.

Installation 2: Sign Languages, Indigenous Resurgence and Redirections

The art installation explored hidden language of signs and for Holy Pichette, her art is a way to “bridge communication in Canada and to talk about political issues with indigenous people and the rights about land” to maintain tradition.

As her final show to wrap up her year at her residency program with the Emerging Artist Studio Program, she wanted people to walk away with “a better understanding that land is of utmost importance and preserving it for future generation” is something that we should all work towards.

All of her art was done with traditional materials like copper, beads and ribbons which she skillfully used as a beads and crafts person.

With friends and family at the art installation exhibit being present, it was a successful for both artists to expand and be confident with their art.