HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2013-03-13, Page 12-w''-- T. ".._-TTJ._. dR_
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2 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Arts Project inspired by World Champion skaters
Lynda HIIIman-Rapley
The Arts Project in London has
jumped onto the World's Skating Cham-
pionships and artist Scott McKay is
thrilled to he part of the process. McKay,
son Of Grand Bend artist Lynda Cross-
man was at the opening of Paint Ontario
last week, admiring the work of others.
Ile told the Lakeshore Advance The Art
Skate Project is part of a fundraiser for
the Arts Project in London. Around 20
skates were handed out to artists and we
were assigned a skater that in participat-
ing in the World Championship this
week. "inspired by the skater we were to
decorate a skate. My skater is Akiko
Suzuki from Japan. She is 2nd in the
world. The flow of her dance and the
cherry blossoms of Japan inspired me.
All the blossoms and branches were
hand forged and painted afterwards.
'Ihe skates, which are signed by the art-
ist and skater, are going to be silent auc-
tioned off starting this Wednesday
morning with the decisions made next
Saturday. It is a great way for me to sup-
port an organization that is so support-
ive of my work!"
Sculptor Scott McKay is an emerging
talent on the London and area art scene.
A strong technical background and an
even stronger passion to create enhance
his creativity. McKay's work harkens
back to the early twentieth century and
European constructivist sculptors like
Jacques l.ipchitz, and Lhzsld Moholy-
Nagy. McKay began his working journey
after graduating from Wilfrid Laurier
University in 1995 with a Bachelor of
Arts in Geography and Biology. 1le's a
certified Industrial Mechanic (Mill-
wright) and Project Manager with expe-
rience as a senior maintenance planner,
having worked with some of Canada's
leading diamond mining operations in
Canada including the 1)eleers Victor
Diamond Mine,'Ihhera Diamond Mine,
and Ekati Diamond Mine. Ile also
earned his Commercial Pilot license in
2002.With the technical skills under his
belt, he began looking to explore his
creativity in 1997, and after returning to
school he graduated with an Artist
Blacksmith Certificate from the I lalibur-
ton School of The Arts, earning the Art-
ist Blacksmith Award for !Ugliest Mark
in 2006. I le's also studied at the ()zark
School of Blacksmithing under'I'sur
Sudan and the New England School of
Metalwork under Maegan Crowley.
McKay created "Pulse," the sculpture
in front of the EMS building on Junot
Avenue South. The municipality there
commissioned this. Ile says "Pulse': was
created after a two- stage selection proc-
ess. The new building that it is in front of
is the home of the Superior North EMS.
The sculpture is meant to embody the
primary concern of those that work out
of the new building and act as a symbol
of their commitment and shining
example.
"The inspiration for my work is as
varied as the work itself. The pieces 1
make from found steel are often created
based on a thought 1 have when 1 find a
particular piece of steel. Other pieces
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are created with a preconceived
thought and still other are
created based 00 other people's
notions. The last category is
usually part of a commission
process," says McKay.
In the near future McKay will
be focusing on developing some
new ideas for his abstract work.
"There are a few other major
items on the go including a
public art piece, but they need to
Scott McKay and his
inspired skate
be kept under cover for now
while details are worked out. '110!
best way to keep abreast of nny
professional activities is to follow
my website; www.strongarm-
forge.com."
Musical artists
t
Lynda Hinman-Rapley
Local musician Pedro Quintana and his sister Olguita entertain the art enthusiasts at the opening gala of Paint
Ontario at the Lambton Heritage Museum Friday.