Fiona Kinsella
the wilderness

Opening Reception Thursday, June 21, 7:30 p.m.
Minarovich Gallery

Hamilton born sculptor Fiona Kinsella uses icing sugar to create cakes: small confections decorated with teeth, skin, hair, bone, claws, seeds, dust, hat pins, rhinestones, insect wings, dental tools, bullets, etc. The combination of materials is provocative, and the resulting imagery is disturbing, humorous, and still somehow beautiful.

A graduate of the University of Guelph’s School of Fine Art and Music, Kinsella says the Wilderness has more to do with ‘revelation’ or confronting the devil in the desert, than spotting a deer in the woods. Her work references religious relics, and the idea of pilgrimage. the Wilderness points to the inevitable obstacles and confrontations on route.

Cakes traditionally mark celebrations associated with rights of passage from one station of life to another: from birth, baptism, and childhood, into adulthood or marriage, and inevitably, death. The familiarity of the ‘cake’ as an object offers the viewer an intimate point of entry to experience the work. The collaged elements work on the subconscious to provoke an emotional response.

the Wilderness runs in the Gallery through to August 5. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. All are welcome, and there is no charge for admission.
Fiona Kinsella CV