by Joanna Wong (2001)
Laurel Terlesky has a unique perspective on hardware stores.
“I find myself going in there and thinking: how else can I use this? What can I play with?” she said.
Terlesky, an alumna of the University of Victoria’s Visual Arts program, was featured in a recent solo exhibit “Liquid bellies, Soft bodies” in the McPherson gallery. Laurel’s talents range from the more traditional mediums of painting, printmaking and photography to film making, digital art and web design. She is open to every mode and method of artistic expression.
“My art teachers would always tell me ‘I don’t know how to classify you,'” said Terlesky.
Currently based in Vancouver Terlesky lives and works in a basement suite turned temporary studio just off Main Street. Walking into the suite, one is immediately struck by the numerous vividly coloured canvasses stacked against every available upright surface.
“This is the mosquito netting you’d use on a screen door,” said Terlesky as she pointed to the mesh protruding from a canvas. The piece, entitled “Gazing In,” is an abstract image of two intertwined bodies composed from brightly painted angular shapes. Combined with the mixed media of mesh, tissue paper and liquid rubber, Terlesky ‘s piece becomes an engaging, living entity.
Terlesky, 24, has short blond-streaked dark hair and big brown eyes which emerge from under a black hoodie embroidered with a yellow exclamation mark. Her hands move expressively as she conveys thoughtful, introspective views on art.
“My work is so tied to Eastern Philosophy,” said Terlesky, who traveled and lived in Thailand, Malaysia and Korea following her graduation. She immediately identified with the way Southeast Asian artists seemed to seamlessly incorporate different aspects of their lives and beliefs into their work. Travelling in a foreign country also drew her attention to another theme that has become prevalent in her artwork.
“I remember arriving in Thailand and all of a sudden being so aware of my body language. I would smile and wonder how it was being interpreted,” she said.
A dancer for the past seventeen years, Terlesky has always seen the movements and language of the body as a critical means of expression. Her fine art is dominated by highly stylized and abstract images of the human form.
“We all relate immediately to images of the body because, well, we all have one,” said Terlesky, smiling.
Terlesky has had many influences, including Cubism, Avant Garde, Expressionism and the more obscure Dada Philosophy. The essence of this philosophy can be described in its approach to poetry. A Dada philosopher will fill a bag with random words, then pull them out one at a time to compose a poem. Whatever the outcome, the Dada philosopher will find satisfaction and meaning in the work.
“Life’s kind of like that,” said Terlesky. “As much as we try to make it linear and not chaotic, there’s this element of randomness. You can take any abstract idea and make it make sense.”
Terlesky is committed to making her work make sense to people. Distressed by the growing rift between people and fine art, she strives to make her work accessible.
“I enjoy graphic work because you have to adapt yourself and recognize your audience,” said Terlesky, who now supports herself mainly through freelance web design and digital artwork. “But I won’t take a job if it’s not inspiring to me,” she added.
As for the future, Terlesky hopes to try her hand at animation and to push her painting “to a new level.” She would also like to complete a masters degree in Fine Arts. As a native of Calgary who’s already lived in a handful of Canadian cities, Terlesky looks to further her schooling in Melbourne, Australia. The West Coast of Canada, however, will always be home.
“I know this sounds corny, but when I first arrived back in Victoria from Montreal I told my friend who picked me up from the airport: “Stop the car – I have to hug a tree!” said Terlesky.
Despite Terlesky’s computer savvy and techno know-how, the life of a freelance Visual Artist is at times “scary.” Freelance work means constant self-discipline and networking for jobs. Not to mention financial pressures.
“In terms of money there’s been some very dismal times,” she said.
She is certain, however, that there is nothing she’d rather be doing. And judging by her online portfolio, her work within the art community and her long resume of independent and collaborated exhibits, Terlesky’s dedication to her work is undeniable.
Terlesky is more modest about her chosen profession and lifestyle.
“When I focus on art,” she said, “that’s when things work for me.”
For more information on Laurel Terlesky and her work, visit her online portfolio at www.studioblanc.com.