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(Canadian and American, b.1953, Pennsylvania)
Amy Gogarty is a painter who was born and raised in Abington,
Pennsylvania. She came to Canada in 1973 and became a Canadian
citizen in 1985. She now resides in Calgary and has been teaching
at the Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary, since 1990.
Gogarty derives inspiration for her subject matter from visual
culture. She is motivated by art history and is visually captivated
by the natural world.1 In addition, colour and light appeals
immeasurably to her. Her works have been exhibited in numerous
solo and group shows across Canada. As well, Gogarty has received
many awards during her professional career.
Her paintings are constructed by applying acrylic on plywood.
The progress by which these works are created is labour intensive.
By this, "Each image is painted onto a smooth gesso surface,
scrubbed out with steel wool, sanded and repainted dozens of times.
Finally glazes are applied and the fragile, encrusted edges are
covered with inconspicuous frames."2 As for what has
been a major influence in the artist's career, Gogarty states
that feminists and feminism have been the main influence. For
example, she states that, "I have benefited immeasurably
from the better world women before me have struggled to bring
into existence, and I hope that I can pass on some of that optimism
to young women coming up behind me."3
Illustration:
The Starlings Obey: (For Chico Mendes)
Education:
1970-1971 Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts.
1976-1980 Alberta College of Art, Calgary, Alberta. Honours Diploma
(Painting).
1986-1987 Undergraduate Classes, University of Calgary, Calgary,
Alberta.
1987-1989 M.F.A. (Painting), University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta.
Recent Exhibitions:
1999 Líarbre de Diderot, Nickle Arts Museum, University
of Calgary.
1998 Montreal/Calgary Exchange Show CIRCA (Montreal).
1997 . . .Swan, & Plenty. . .Truck Gallery, Calgary.