Burlesque: Knot What You Think showcases woodwork by artisans Hugh Ross and Peter McKinley and nature photography by three young photographers: Jayme Burns, Levon Drover and Corey Katz. The exhibit runs until June 4th in the main gallery of the Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design in Sydney.
Hugh Ross grew up in New Glasgow and has lived in Port Hawkesbury for the past 36 years. Wood working was a natural hobby for Ross to adopt having earned a degree in forestry from the University of New Brunswick and working with Stora Enso in industrial forestry.
Because of climatic stress, the forests of Eastern Nova Scotia yield an abundance of wood with abnormal shapes, colour, grain and flaws. Hugh’s goal is to give these abnormalities a second life by turning them into objects which are unique and beautiful.
The turning process starts with a raw piece of wood and due to the nature of the raw material Hugh is never sure what imperfections may be encountered. Often the wood reveals voids, cracks or rot which necessitates a change in design in order to preserve the piece. Ross finds overcoming these challenges one of the most satisfying aspects of wood-turning. Because of the materials and approach, no two pieces are ever alike.
Jayme Burns graduated from NSCC’s photography program in 2004. Growing up in an ever-decaying landscape, she has taken up a strong interest in the effects of time and neglect on the common place—a home, a business, an object. Also an avid painter, Burns has begun making a name for herself as a commissioned artist. Favoring a vibrant palette, she uses acrylics to create surrealist illustrations varying in content. jaymeburnsfineart.com
South Bar’s Levon Drover specializes in wildlife, scenic and nature photography. He travels throughout Cape Breton to capture animals in their natural surroundings and provide a view of locations not often seen by most people.
After 27 fast-paced years running professional kitchens throughout North America and the Caribbean, Louisbourg’s Peter McKinley decided to downshift and pursue other life-long passions—hiking, camping, paddling and woodworking. Whether cooking or camping, McKinley developed a great appreciation for a finely crafted knife that performed its task with ease and longevity. He has endeavored to design and build knives that meet those performance goals.
