Imprint - Anne Tori

Three chairs - two girls, acrylic on canvas, 32" x 24"

Green chair (blue), acrylic on canvas, 32" x 24"

Pink chair (all fall down), acrylic on canvas, 32" x 24"

White rocker - orange cat, acrylic on canvas, 32" x 24"

Muskoka chair (lake land), acrylic on canvas, 32" x 24"

Wicker suite (island summer), acrylic on canvas, 32" x 24"

The chairs of summer #3, acrylic on canvas, 33.5” x 25.5”

The chairs of summer #1, acrylic on canvas, 25.5” x 19.5”

The chairs of summer #2, acrylic on canvas, 25.5” x 19.5”

Nanny’s needlepoint, acrylic on canvas, 15.5” x 12.25”

Fleamarket finds, acrylic on canvas, 15.5” x 12.25”

On the porch, Stewart Street, acrylic on canvas, 17.5” x 13.5”

Comforts of Home: blue chair, mixed media, 16” x14”

Comforts of Home: green chair, mixed media, 16” x14”

Sketchbook Series: chair, mixed media, 14" x 11"

Artist Statement

The recurring theme of chairs in my paintings was initially pointed out to me by someone else. I had painted three chairs in a row, almost a group portrait; but there were many paintings featuring interesting chairs. So I began a series based on chairs I had known and loved; a portrait of the chair and an accompanying sketch of the chair occupied, almost as if the memory of its use imprints the chair.

From there I thought of the evolution of their use - from the pride of the sitting room to the ignominy of the basement’s rec room; shrouded in sheets in storage; on front porches exposed to the elements.

I feel these artefacts have not only their own intrinsic character, but they take on meaning for us by association; just as a certain chair may be so - and -so’s favourite chair. Think of the tatty old recliner that spoke so eloquently of the disparity in character of its owner Martin and his son Frasier on the eponymously named TV show.

Imbued with personality, the chair speaks to us of its history, and ours by association.

Solo Exhibition
Guelph Humber Cultural Gallery
September 19 - October 2, 2005