I was a caregiver to my partner, actor Kenneth Welsh*, from his cancer diagnosis on Christmas eve 2021 to his death May 5 2022. Caregiving oscillates between flurried activity and long periods of being beside someone—and in those long quiet times (Ken cocooned in a crazy quilt I had made in another life 30 years earlier) I sketched him again and again. A few months after Ken died I took the sketches into my studio and started a body of painted low relief carvings based on the sketches and photos taken during this difficult time. The quilt was the other character in the room and the painted relief sculptures became colourful dialogues between Ken and the quilt—the quilt taking on the role of lover; comforter. That is the way I grieved. As I say, ‘colour is my first language’ so the result was an affirmation of humanity, compassion and joy. The repetition of the strokes of the small hand-carving tools were expressions of devotion and intimacy. I view the series as death seen through the eyes of love. 

In June 2023, Curator Olex Wlasenko, curated a solo show of these pieces in the main room (Coppa Gallery) of the Station Gallery Whitby Ontario, showing the 7 major painted relief carvings as well as several sketches and linoleum prints. It was an art show, a memorial, and an homage. I believe this needs to be seen by more people in other communities. This show celebrates a local hero, Canadian icon, and international talent. Covid broadened the way we mark death and life. We began to relate to and appreciate the important role of the caregiver and we were forced to mark death in more creative ways. This show is from the point of view of the caregiver. This is some of my best work as a mature female artist and I offer to share this mystery of grief and love.

The 7 main pieces in this series are acrylic paint on hand-carved basswood. They are purposely tactile: a nod to the role of constant touch in the caregiving process. This body of work is complete as is but I am interested in adding two more pieces depending on space and timing. I have started to do some speaking about my own experience with grief and the creative process and offer that as part of your program during the exhibition. 

I propose a quiet installation of the seven painted relief carvings I have already done, with possibly 2 more added. This work is not large but it asks for space and dramatic lighting. Without being in any way dour it recreates the sense of a visitation. Depending on the size of the room, 50 sketches done in the months before Ken died and several lino-prints can be added to the show. 

Lynne McIlvride 

April 18, 2024

link to Steven Frank’s materport of the show: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=Pomswh2R42r 

BIO

Lynne McIlvride is a mixed media artist; a material-based colourist. A settler, and born in Montreal in 1962, she has developed her artistic practise in rural Ontario for the past 40 years. There has been an organic evolution in her varied series of intensely personal paintings and constructions over the decades. Media have included painted paper sculpture, found object assemblages, very large watercolours, reduction linoleum prints, and most recently, acrylic paint on hand-carved basswood. Lynne has been represented by Prime Gallery and David Kaye Gallery in Toronto and has shown in several galleries and universities across Canada as well as some group shows in the US and in Italy.

Artist’s Statement

I like to call myself a maximalist mixed media visionary artist. I play with the repetition of pattern and colour until a sense of awe is achieved. As in gothic cathedrals and Islamic architecture, I seek to ornament every surface. I am slowly turning my studio and home into art destinations in themselves. 

For the past six years I have concentrated on hand-carved basswood relief sculptures which then become the base for highly saturated paint. These include my Epiphany series; feline studies and my travelling series dedicated to my late husband, Kenneth Welsh. The latter is why I am submitting this proposal.

I tell people colour is my first language. Here is my take on it while speaking to the Colour Research Society of Canada. 

Lynne McIlvride

April 2024