Eileen Menzel, mixed media artist

Facade 2 painting My work is based on ideas about the significance of walls, some defensive, others protective, but ultimately, all of them problem-solvers depending on their political, social and personal circumstances. I interpret such walls in a variety of conceptual approaches within my going theme of ‘opposites attract'.

My subject matter ranges from security fences and war time fronts to pyschological barriers of denial and indifference. I’ve continued with looking at walls as illusions as in stage sets, cover ups and concealed spaces. Other walls reveal their changing circumstances. Some are in significant historic buildings with their ruined splendor left over from better times. In contrast, recent work deals with contemporary buildings and the temporary state of their grand, but fragile, opulence. These are in a series called Fabulous Space for Today.

I use a variety of styles to reflect the different “dialogues” I have with each painting as a method of keeping each wall’s ‘story' in focus. Taken together, these works display a visual narrative about walls that are built to control the uncontrollable whatever that may be. This forms a symbiotic relationship once again to the overall theme of ‘opposites attract’.

It is also part of my painting process. I lay out the formal control of a golden section composition and then I feel free to enjoy the more uncontrollable addition and subtraction of layers of mixed media until I reach the point where the work makes a meaningful statement.

My mixed media includes acrylic paint, lacquers, acrylic medium, spray paint, conte, charcoal, inks, graphite, cloth, mylat and collage technique on supports of mylar, heavy paper, canvas and wood panel.

• Jan. 23 - Feb 13, ‘Inspired by Place’. An Etobicoke Art Group themed exhibition in the Hall and Main Galleries Neilson Park Creative Centre, Toronto. Convener and participant.

• Feb 13 - Mar. 4, The Etobiocke Art Group Members' Choice. Main Gallery, Neilson Park Creative Centre, Toronto. Convener and participant.

• Jan 12 - Feb. 25, 34th Annual Juried show. Visual Arts Mississauga, the Art Gallery of Mississauga.

• Jan. 2 - Jan. 22, ‘The Big Chill’, Neilson Park Creative Centre, Toronto.

• Dec. 1 -22, ‘The Expressive Figure’, a 4 artist exhibition presented by the Art Connection Group at the University of Toronto Faculty Club, Toronto.
For more information visit www.artconnectiongroup.net.

• Oct. 7 - 27, Guest artist/convener, 47th Anuual Juried show, Etobicoke Art Group Etobiocke Civic Centre Ont.

• Aug. 8 - Sep 2, Imagination 2011, a group exhibition at Neilson Park Creative Centre, Toronto.

• July 11 - Aug. 4, Impact 2011, 19th Annual Juried Show, Neilson Park Creative Centre, Etobiocoke Ont.

• July 11 - July 25, OSA Selected Members Choice Exhibition, PaperMill Gallery, Todmorden Mills, Toronto. Ont.

• May 16 - June 24, 12th Annual Juried Show. ArtWorks Oakville at Oakville Town Hall.

• May 19 - June 18, 18th Annual Juried Exhibition, Through the Eyes of the Artist. Lakeshore Arts at The Assembly Hall, Toronto. Reception May 19

• April5 - 29, Ontario Society of Artists (O.S.A.) 138th Annual Open Juried Show, John B. Aird Gallery on the theme of "Memory"

• March 7 - 27, Etobicoke Art Group, Members’ Choice Exhibition, Neilson Park Creative Centre, Toronto. Exhibitor and convener

• February 14 - March 6, ‘Monday Works’. Recent works by members of John Leonard’s Monday Night Group. Neilson Park Creative Centre

• Jan. 29 - March 6, Solo Exhibition as Guest Artist, Colborne Art Gallery, Colborne, ON

• Jan. 24 - Feb. 26 , Etobicoke Art Groups’ themed exhibition, ‘Where the Wild Things Are’. Neilson Park Creative Centre. Exhibitor and convener

• Jan. 13 - Feb. 23 , 33rd Annual Juried Show Visual Arts Mississauga

• Jan. 3 - Jan. 23 , Annual Winter Artist’s Choice Exhibition, ‘Cold Snap’, Neilson Park Creative Centre

Eileen Menzel Tel: 416-695-4378 Email: Please click here

Eileen Menzel
Tel: 416-695-4378
Email: Please click here