- This event has passed.
Triple Love: Where Art Meets Autism
August 8, 2019 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Triple Love: An Exhibit by Pierre AJ Sabourin, Trish Jokat, and her son Morgan Kitching.
AUGUST AT ONE SKY GALLERY
PIERRE AJ SABOURIN
“As a young man, I traveled Canada from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island to the Arctic Circle on the Mackenzie River in the North West Territories.
This experience instilled national pride in Canada’s wondrous beauty and diverse culture. Growing up in Sudbury, Ontario, during the peak of nickel smelting in the 50s and 60s and experiencing the destruction of nature by acid rain had a profound effect on me.”
Sabourin, an en plein air landscape painter, follows the Canadian School of Painting in spirit, philosophy, and practice. The Canadian School was founded by AY Jackson and the Group of Seven. Sabourin makes his home in Killarney, Ontario.
Art educator Arthur Lismer of the Group of Seven mentored Pierre at age ten, resonating throughout his entire life. Art that comes from the soul is the highest of truths it is the best of who you are.
Sabourin went on to study Fine Arts at the University of Ottawa and the National Drawing and Print Council of Canada at the University of Calgary. Pierre apprenticed with landscape painter Ferenc Szeles of Hungary and mentored with great en plein air winter painter, Paul Schleusner of Germany.
Pierre has developed a style of landscape painting that draws upon the traditions and influences of AY Jackson, Tom Thomson, JEH Macdonald, Arthur Lismer, Lawren Harris, Vincent Van Gogh, Igor Grabar, and Edouard Manet.
“I’m an Expressionist! I love rich colour and thick impasto. manipulating paint and creating shadow. Immersing oneself in nature allows the unconscious to be exposed allowing for a deeper relationship with spirituality in the creative process.
My paintings are inspired and produced en plein air, some are completed in the studio. I paint in all weather conditions and at times mount excursions into the interior with teams to establish a studio on location.”
During Canada 150 Pierre was the keynote speaker for the Governor General Leadership Canada Conference
Pierre produced the Group of Seven Symposium of the Arts and Canadian Woodstock for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of Killarney Provincial Park by AY Jackson.
The Artist in Residence hosts the popular Footsteps of the Group of Seven painting program in Killarney Provincial Park for schools. art groups and families. In 2013 Pierre’s Footsteps program became the most successful in the Province for Ontario Parks.
In 2015 Pierre produced the Hot Mush Tour in celebration of AY Jackson. The Art tour encompassed 28 schools in townships of the Rainbow District School board of Northern Ontario, Students produced over 3500 paintings during the 40 day tour.
Pierre a leading advocate of Group of Seven heritage in Killarney and Northern Ontario has been included in five International and National Television documentaries.
TRISH JOKAT
Trish Jokat was born and raised in Sudbury and holds a diploma in Fine Art from Cambrian College, class of 1987. She has painted all her life. Her painting “Rudbeckia” was started in acrylic as a finger painting ..something she recently discovered. An evening of painting unable to heat the paint on fast enough with a brush led to this process. Trish is the mother of three, and has fiercely fought for the needs of children living with autism. Pierre AJ Sabourin, her partner, has lifted her art to a new level. They collaborated to create a 4′ x 6′ oil painting last winter. A match made in heaven, together they will continue a life of art with Morgan who is so eager to learn from them.
MORGAN KITCHING
17 year old Morgan Kitching was born with severe classic Kanners non verbal Autism. They were told he may be institutionalized. His mother, an artist, always had art supplies on hand although Morgan never really showed any interest. Last fall while at the cottage in Killarney, there was a power outage. Throwing their hands up, Trish and her partner Pierre AJ Sabourin set up an easel with a few boards and a very large pallet. Morgan stood up and began magically to paint. His largest piece is 4′ x 4′. In one day, he painted over 15 pieces, with flowers being the main theme. With his mom and primarily Pierre as his patient mentor, Morgan boasts over 100 works. His verbal communication has increased dramatically and we are so very proud of him. He has surprised us all. He will succeed with his gift with love, patience and lots of paint! He is giving hope to those families living with autism.
https://pierreajsabourin.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Places-I-have-seen-Places-I-have-been-560338174168669/
https://www.facebook.com/Morgans-Garden-Art-and-Autism-1036947233173317/