Jennifer Haney | Fritzi Gallery / OSA “ODYSSEY”

The Ottawa School of Art is proud to present the work of Diploma Student:

Jennifer Haney

February 21 – April 8, 2017

Vernissage: Tuesday February 21, 2017, 6 – 8 p.m.

The Ottawa School of Art presents new works by Diploma Student Jennifer Haney.

Jennifer is an Ottawa based artist, raised in the in the Eastern Townships of Québec. She holds degrees from McGill and Concordia Universities in Montréal and is currently completing the Fine Arts Diploma program at the Ottawa School of Art.

For many years Jennifer worked as a figurative artist but has recently moved from representational to semi-abstract, and finally to non-representational abstract work. Her new paintings in “Odyssey” are a visual documentation of her explorations in this challenging genre. The works in this exhibition are rich in colour and texture. Her use of layered unrecognizable shapes, line, colour, and texture create compositions with an undeniable sense of movement and urgency. Jennifer has exhibited her work in a number of solo and group shows in Canada and abroad from 2007 to present.

“Through my art, I express my love of rich vibrant colours and easily introduce them one by one, watching the dramatic contrasts explode across the canvas creating a sense of vitality and movement.

As my art evolves, the challenge of my odyssey continues.” – Jennifer Haney, Artist

Artist Statement:

I was told the canvas talks to the artist – I am still waiting for that to happen!  Painting abstract art can be formidable and the challenges are always there. Inspired by the flow of colours and forms that move across the canvas in non-representational art, I decided to leave, momentarily, figurative realistic painting and focus instead on the abstract— a new and uncertain journey. How and where to begin? There were so many decisions to make with so many choices – such as which colours to use, to simplify or to make more complex. Moreover, how to make it all work together to build that successful contemporary composition.

Moving first from representational to semi-abstract, and finally to abstract, I now passionately apply paint on the canvas to see what happens and am amazed that it seems to take on a life of its own. Unrecognizable images begin to emerge; dictating what is to happen next as my story is being told.

I enjoy the freedom to express myself in wild and wonderful ways, savoring the surprise of what appears in my work – unplanned and spontaneous – the unpredictability of it all.  Through my art, I express my love of rich vibrant colours and easily introduce them one by one, watching the dramatic contrasts explode across the canvas creating a sense of vitality and movement. Using a combination of brush and palette knife to mark my strokes in acrylic paint, I continue to explore and experiment with the different styles of abstract. As my art evolves, the challenge of my odyssey continues. It is a long exploration, full of artistic adventure, and my recent work seems to be moving in entirely new directions. I look forward to what is next—perhaps my conversations with the canvas are about to begin…

The OSA would like to thank the Great Canadian Theatre Company and the Lorraine Fritzi Yale Gallery for the use of this space.

The Ottawa School of Art is an educational centre for the Visual Arts in Ottawa, providing the community with the opportunity for creative expression, development, and growth based on an orderly progression in knowledge and skills. Within a well-defined program, the OSA offers high quality instruction to all levels through direct involvement with professional artists.

For more information on courses and programs at the Ottawa School of Art please contact us at 613.241.7471 or visit our website at www.artottawa.ca

Inquiries on these works should be directed to Cathy Brake, Gallery, and Boutique Coordinator at the Ottawa School of Art, by calling

613.241.7471 ext. 27 or by e-mailing boutique@artottawa.ca