Sally Ayre

Shift, Open Studio, Print Sales Gallery, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 2018

Shift Seed Installation

Shift #1 (Milkweed) Silkscreen on Japanese washi with hand stitching

Shift # 4 (Clematis) Silkscreen on Japanese washi

Shift # 5 (Clematis) Silkscreen on Japanese washi

Shift # 6 (Clematis) Silkscreen on Japanese washi

Shift # 7 (Berries) Silkscreen on Japanese washi

Shift # 8 (Berries) Silkscreen on Japanese washi

Shift # 9 (Milkweed) Silkscreen on Japanese washi

Shift # 10 (Milkweed) Silkscreen on Japanese washi

Shift # 13 (Hydrangea) Silkscreen on Japanese washi

Shift # 14 (Hydreangea) Silkscreen on Japanese washi

Shift # 11 (Bittersweet) Silkscreen on Japanese washi

Shift # 12 (Bittersweet) Silkscreen on Japanese washi

Sally Ayre

Shift

Artist Statement

I have been collecting plant specimens for many years, some from my explorations in the city, and other specimens from the edge of waterways and during time spent in the country. The specimens have been scanned and catalogued to form an image bank from which I draw to create my work. 

In this project titled Shift I have chosen to work with fall specimens containing seeds that will scatter to germinate new life cycles. Using the seed from plants at the end of a life cycle references a broader idea of our own aging. I use the seeds as a metaphor for the experiences and knowledge acquired as we age to be passed on to others

Seed specimens are often seen en masse, the individual seed invisible to the naked eye. I have separated the seeds from their environments and created detailed images to reveal their beauty and complexity. I have used a limited colour palette, translucent paper and stitching to create an enhanced environment for reflection.