​    I grew up in a century old farm house, on a dairy farm in Mount Hope. I remember the dining room had a decorative tin ceiling, and the walls were covered in a baroque style wallpaper.  There was a china cabinet filled with china cups and saucers, ornamental plates and crystal wear.   All of these decorative elements informed my idea of art.  

    Since I was a child, I have always been in awe of the decorative elements that I found within my own seemingly mundane, rural home.  During my art school studies, I was thrilled to discover the artists of the Pattern And Decoration Movement from the 1970’s & 80’s.  Artists such as: Robert Rahway Zakinitch, Robert Kushner and Ross Bleckner, who employed decorative elements as the basis for their work.

    This exhibit at the Central Library is envisioned as a large scale 19th Century wallpaper sample book.  The purpose of the book was to show the customer a range of patterns that were for sale.

    The patterns come from a variety of sources: William Morris; Racinet’s Historic Ornament; M. Dupont-Auberville’s Classic Textile Designs; and a shirt I found at Hawk & Sparrow on James Street North.  

All pieces are oil on paper.  

Installation view, Central Branch, Hamilton Public Library, March 2016