Brenda Draney: Drink from the river

Brenda Draney's work explores the complex nature of intimacy.
Referencing her own memories and experiences, the
Canadian artist examines the layered meanings embedded
in everyday motifs and situations. The cumulative portrait
that emerges references a collective self that encompasses
not only her own experience but that of past generations
and current community members. However, instead of
simply reproducing these elements, she is more interested
in addressing how their meanings can shift when
filtered through individual interpretation. By deliberately
leaving blank spaces in her paintings, Draney leaves room
for viewers to place their own narrative within her imaginary
spaces and to connect to the wide range of emotions
the artist subtly invokes.
This richly illustrated catalogue-published in conjunction
with Draney's solo exhibition organized by The Power
Plant Art Gallery in Toronto-features a selection of existing
and newly commissioned works and original contributions
from Canadian scholars and writers.BRENDA DRANEY (*1976, Sawridge First Nation, Treaty 8, with a strong connection to Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada) has been featured in various exhibitions. She is based in Edmonton, Alberta.