With human society becoming more and more drawn towards the technological, it is more important than ever for people to stop and take the time to look back at their ancestral connection to nature. Ottawa’s Wall Space Gallery has just the event to help make that happen. From now until October 27, the gallery is featuring the solo exhibitions of Deimatic Behaviour by Drew Mosley, a well-known Ottawa artist, and Creatures of Habit by Dauma Stirbyte (Dauma for short), an artist who was born and raised in Lithuania and is currently based in London, Ontario.
“These two artists together make a really interesting combination with their different styles, but also there are some similar themes throughout which really work well together,” said Phoebe Sampey, Gallery Manager, during a phone interview.
Deimatic Behaviour
Deimatic Behaviour by Drew Mosley. Photo: Ava Margueritte.
A regular at the Wall Space Gallery, Mosley’s art draws inspiration from elements of nature, history, and ancient civilizations. Using a Dutch Renaissance style filled to the brim with symbolism and captivating imagery of various animals, many of which rely on illusory body transformations and vibrant, pulsating pigmentation to deter or trick predators, Mosley’s art compels us to take a closer look at the role we have played in the collapse of natural ecosystems.
“He’s really asking us to take a look at our relationship with the environment, with creatures who are the most vulnerable within our environment, as well as our role in the exploitation of the natural world,” said Sampey. “I think that’s something that’s becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society, and how we navigate the world, but I think his work really in particular has an important message for us.”
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With such beautiful imagery that evokes feelings of empathy and awe for some of nature’s most amazing creatures—including the iconic, yet endangered monarch butterfly— Mosley’s exhibition serves as an important reminder of our connection to nature and what draws us towards it.
Creatures of Habit
Creatures of Habit by Dauma. Photo: Ava Margueritte.
Though Dauma’s work has been featured at Wall Space Gallery before, this marks her first solo exhibition. Much like Mosley, Dauma’s artwork evokes a connection between humans and non-humans, but in a very different way.
“With Dauma’s work, there’s more humour in how she’s portraying that message but again, very similar,” said Sampey. “She’s really trying to navigate [our relationship with small creatures], and how they may not really be that different,” said Sampey.
By merging elements of humanity with those of insects and flora into her sculptures, Dauma creates unique “porcelain creatures” that possess an otherwordly, yet darkly comedic vibe.
Using nature as a metaphor, Dauma’s unique art style reveals the parallels and kinship between humans and the many tiny creatures that live alongside us. Ultimately, her work conveys the feeling that at the end of the day, we are all “creatures of habit” and not as distant from our natural roots as we think we are.
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“I hope that [people] really pay attention to the subject matter,” said Sampey. “I really hope that they take the message away, but I also hope they enjoy the work.”
In addition to the exhibitions, visitors will also have the opportunity to attend an opening reception on Saturday, October 15, from 3-5 pm, featuring an artist talk with Drew Mosley at 3:30 pm.
To RSVP for the opening reception, email responses@wallspacegallery.ca. For more information about the Gallery and its exhibitions, check out their events page here.
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