Selective Perceptions An exhibition of contemporary art by members of CanWax East , International Encaustic artists

Opening Reception: June 12 at 8pm

Dania Al Obaidi, Mary Ambrose, Anastessia Bettas, Karen Chisvin, Maggie Doswell, Wendy LaValle, Linda Virio and Melissa Tseng

This exhibition brings together 8 encaustic artists whose works focus on and express their ideas about SELECTIVE PERCEPTION. In 1954 Princeton and Dartmouth researchers found that in general people favour official opinions (scientists, politicians, experts) whose conclusions matched their own values….the facts were irrelevant. This behaviour is known as SELECTIVE PERCEPTION. Explained another way it is when otherwise rational people distort facts by putting them through a personal or social lens. People in communications work identify this behaviour as a key barrier in communication about scientific or political issues in society such as climate change, foods supply, nuclear power, disposal of waste, emergency response.

Introducing Dania Al Obaidi, Mary Ambrose, Anastessia Bettas, Karen Chisvin, Maggie Doswell, Wendy LaValle, Linda Virio and Melissa Tseng, 8 Encaustic artists and members of CanWAX East, the newly formed Eastern Canada Chapter of IEA. International Encaustic Artists (IEA) is a non-profit, professional artists’ organization founded in 2005. IEA remains the oldest and largest professional membership organization for encaustic art in the world.

Encaustic Art: These 8 artists use the ancient art technique called Encaustic which was first used in Egypt from 100 - 300AD. This is the process of mixing melted beeswax with resins and pigments, then applying the coloured wax to the canvas, paper or board. With further heating, scraping and brushwork the desired painting is achieved. These 8 artists challenge traditional properties of wax to create contemporary works for this contemporary issue.