(p) 403-238-3857 | (c) 403-968-3857
mabeeaud@shaw.ca
“There are certain mysteries, certain secrets in my own work that even I don’t understand, nor do I try to do so.”
- Georges Braque

Artists Statement

Audrey MabeeAfter years of experimentation with colour and space, stirred memories and forgotten secrets, my work has taken on a distinctive style. The experiments go on, the learning continues, the style evolves.

The ordinary subjects of people making music, dancing, eating, drinking, cycling and swimming are transformed into fanciful images. Birds, fish cats and fruit invariably creep, unannounced into many paintings.

The paintings are oil on canvas. The image develops out of the process, and is not fully conceived at the outset. The multiple changes each canvas is subjected to during that process is the challenge and joy for me. My work has been influenced primarily by artists with a unique drawing style like Modigliani. The strong colours of Hundertwasser and Matisse, the fantasies of Chagall and the exquisite patterns of Klimt have also been a major influence for me.

The subjects and colours I use are chosen to make you feel good and smile when you first look at my work….if you find something in them that also makes you think and wonder, all the better.

Biography

Audrey Mabee is an alumnus of the Alberta College of Art and Design, and a former Acting President of the institution. She served as a member of the Board of Governors for six years, and was the first alumni president. Nominated by the Alberta College of Art and Design for, and winner of the Woman of Distinction Award 2000, Audrey is a vital part of the Calgary arts community.

In 1974 Audrey and her business partner, Betty Anne Graves opened the Croft in Calgary AB. They owned it for 24 years focusing on the promotion and sale of fine quality Alberta pottery and other handmade Canadian crafts.

She has illustrated several books, including Children Have Diabetes Too, for the Alberta Children’s Hospital and has created artwork for instructional videos for the University of Calgary and the Holy Cross Hospital. Audrey has done significant commissions for commercial corporations including A&W and Starbucks as well as for the Calgary Foundation.

Her work focuses on people…people dancing, eating, making music and generally enjoying life in a lyrical world. Her thoughtful use of bright colours and careful attention to negative spaces creates a joyful interplay of rhythms and patterns on the canvas.

Audrey has exhibited her work in San Francisco CA, Vancouver BC, and Calgary AB and is a part of many impressive private and corporate collections around the world.

Audrey’s work is currently exhibited at Axis Contemporary Arts, Calgary AB, Gust Gallery, Waterton AB and Harrison Galleries in Vancouver BC.

another one by Little Orange Dots