Local artist featured at TO shows (By Rebecca Ring)

The works of Rockwood sculptor Candice Raquel Lee were featured in three different shows in Toronto this past summer.

The first was in June at Arta, in the Distillery District. The gallery chose to show her sculpture, What Abimelech Saw. It depicts Isaac and Rebekah “cavorting” in a garden. To avoid famine, Isaac and Rebekah immigrated to the southern region of Gerar, where Abimelech was king. Afraid that the Philistines would kill him in order to take his beautiful wife, Isaac lied, saying Rebekah was his sister. Later, the king spied them cavorting in the garden and quickly deduced that they were really husband and wife. Afraid of the wrath of the God if anybody fooled with Rebekah, Abimelech sent out a cecree that they were indeed married and Rebekah was to be left alone.

Lee said that this show was “a lot of fun.” She particularly appreciated that her explanations of the art were displayed on the walls. She felt that this gave visitors a better understanding of what they were seeing and stimulated many discussions.

The second show was entitled Summer Heat at the Queeneast Gallery. This gallery also chose to exhibit What Abimelech Saw, with the theme of the show being all things “steamy.” Lee said she was one of only two artists there that worked with bronze. She enjoyed meeting other artists and learning of their experiences.

The third was the 8^th Annual Juried Emerging Sculptors Exhibition sponsored by the Canadian Sculptors Society and held at the Canadian Sculpture Centre. Two of her pieces, Eve’s Awakening and the popular What Abimelech Saw, were exhibited. Eve’s Awakening depicts Eve emerging from Adam’s side, looking terrified, while Adam sleeps, holding her hand….

Overall, Lee enjoyed her first experiences in the metropolitan art scene, but is still looking for “one that celebrated ideas, philosophy, beauty, and transcendence while recognizing skill and mastery.” The shows resulted in increased interest in her work, including an interior designer who wants to use it in some upscale designs.

One of her most memorable moments was hearing Anne Mirvish, wife of Toronto’s’ well-known theatrical producer and entrepreneur Ed Mirvish, describing her work as beautiful.

Lee was accepted to show her work at the 2007 International Art Expo at the Metro Convention Centre in Toronto next March. For more information, visit www.candiceraquel.com.

[Correction: What Abimelech Saw was not exhibited at Arta; Fear and After the Storm were.]