Kelly Mark and Micah Lexier both studied at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NASCAD). They both live and work in Toronto and at times, work with similar materials. Both artists have designed tattoos, use text or counting in their work frequently, and are conceptual artists whose works have quantified the passage of time.
It can be understood, then, how two artists who share a sensibility, but have differences in style and approach, could with competitive and collaborative spirit, come together to create an exhibition such as Head to Head.
Executed with playful spirit, Head to Head presents 18 pairs of works. Mark's work finds humour in repetitive tasks, routines and rituals of everyday life. Lexier's art often devises systems for counting the passage of time. In some cases, they use the same materials, other times it is the imagery that is shared. Still other times it is only a concept that is shared. The works in this exhibition illustrate the differences of approach as much as the similarities.
Curated by Robin Metcalfe, this exhibition runs from January 21-March 18, 2012 at the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa, Ontario, and is presented in collaboration with St. Mary's University Art Gallery, Halifax.