Mary Kainer

Visual Artist

 

Mary Kainer loves the exploration of materials in a wide variety of media and and is especially drawn to works on paper and in clay.   Themes in her artistic practice range from the political to the highly personal.  Stylistically, the artist’s works can range from the clearly representational to the highly abstract often drawing on figurative or organic imagery.   She is equally interested in issues of form and content and her work consistently explores the coalescence of the two.  Working in a variety of media, the artist explores concepts that link her works thematically. 

 

Currently Mary Kainer’s work alternates between painting, drawing, collage, photography and sculpture in clay and paper.  However, in the past she has also worked in print-making and botanical watercolours.

 

Mary Kainer began sculpting in clay in 1999 under the tutelage of Susan Low- Beer.  From the outset, her works melded figurative forms with the political incorporating issues of women’s bondage, aging and obesity.  Recent sculptural works address communication and the loss of language.

 

Mary Kainer is a graduate of the Toronto School of Art (Independent Studio Program 2003-04), Diploma (2001-03).   Born in Saskatchewan, she has lived, worked, volunteered, and raised three children in Toronto, working as an administrator and community activist and serving on arts and community boards.  She currently is developing her professional art practice.   

 

Solo Exhibitions:

 

09/09-01/10                 Queen Mother Café, Toronto. SkyFold

 

09/09                           Kawartha Studio Tour and Apsley Studio Tour, SkyFold

 

09/08                           Kawartha Studio Tour and Apsley Studio Tour, Fold

 

01/08                           Art Gallery of Peterborough, Corpo

 

07/06                           Rebecca Gallery, Toronto, Rage Against the Machine

 

02/04                           TSA Gallery, Toronto; Twist Ties

 

02/03                           TSA Gallery, Toronto;  Nothing at the Centre.

 

12/02-03/03                 Organic Metal Gallery, Toronto;  Sculptural works from selected series.

 

02/02                           Rebecca Gallery, Toronto;  obsessionrepressionespressiondepression.

 

10/99                           Private Viewing, Toronto;  Strands.

 

 

 

Group Exhibitions:

 

06/06-09/06                 Back Talk, Dunlop Art Gallery, Monsanto drawings from Corpo.

 

05-06                             Triple X, Juried Visual Arts Ontario Anniversary Travelling Exhibition,

                                    three of drawings from Corpo body of work.

 

10/05                           OMy,  Untitled Artist’s Proof; giclee print, acrylic and collage.

 

03/05                           TSA Gallery, Sock it to me; mixed media wall sculptures.

 

04/04                           Independent Studio Program, Open Studio TSA, Corpo; drawings.

 

04/04 – 05/04              Sherway Gardens, vitrines, Twist Ties; paper works.

 

10/03                           Bathurst Annex Studio Tour, drawings and prints.

 

03/03 – 06/03              Free Times Café, Toronto;  Sculptural works and prints.

 

03/03                           Botanical Artists Society, juried show for Canada Blooms, Toronto.

 

00-03                                                     Group Student Exhibitions, Toronto School of Art, Toronto.