Patricia is an Award-winning International Contemporary Artist, Author and Visionary. She is represented by 13th Street Gallery in St. Catharines, Artworld Fine Art in Toronto, Ontario, FACEC International in France, and Paul Fisher Gallery in Florida. Patricia previously exhibited with BB International Fine Arts in Geneva, Berlin, Korea, Austria, and Zurich. In 2018, Patricia won the Gold Medal in Photography at the SNBA at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, France. ATIM (Art Tour International Magazine) named Patricia, Artist of the Year 2020. In 2019 she was awarded the Silver Medal in Photography and in 2021 she will receive the Pewter Medal in Painting from the Societe Academique Arts, Sciences and Lettres in Paris, France. She is the recipient of the Apollo and Daphne International Award Biennal of Baroque Art Salentin from Italia in Arte Nel Mondo Associaziona Culturaie. “Now more than ever the artists of the world are so important,” Gagic said. “With shifts in every direction impacting our livelihood and spectrum of emotions, the truth is more evident in art.” Today, her painting Avalon’s Dream is hanging in a prestigious Zurich gallery, ArtBox. (She has previously exhibited with BB International Fine Arts in Switzerland with her work accepted to Art Fairs in Geneva, Berlin, France, Austria, Zurich, London UK and Seoul, Korea as well as being shown across North America.) www.patriciakarengagic.com
FWM: Tell us about your exhibit in July and August at the 13th Street Gallery in St. Catharines. Why does this mean so much to you?
It was over 30 years ago when I was introduced to Ron Moore who operated the Moore Gallery in Hamilton, Ontario. The gallery was a magnet for the top Canadian abstract and contemporary artists, including William Ronald, Leon Bellefleur, Roze Linzdon, Paul Sloggett and many more. It was always a dream of mine to be recognized as an artist amongst those of prominence in the Canadian art scene. I became aware that Ron was involved with a new gallery located at the 13th Street winery in St. Catharines. Fortunately, Ron arranged a meeting for me to meet the gallery owner John Mann, and I presented my portfolio to him which was well received resulting in an invitation for me to join the gallery stable of artists.
My first exhibition will be a joint venture with two other distinguished female artists, Ann Clark and Kimberly Danielson. The exhibition opening is on Saturday, July 17th from 2 to 5. The title of the show is “Hear Us Roar”, based on the song by Helen Reddy. The building was constructed on the property of the 13th Street winery and hosts a massive open concept creating incredible wall space. The exhibition will run until August 14th.
It is so important to have a strong gallery relationship. I really enjoy the professionalism and positivity shown by the gallery manager Margie Galita. Exhibiting in one of the top Canadian galleries further enhances the opportunity for art collectors to see the value in purchasing strong Canadian artworks. I have exhibited consistently in Europe attending many of the major art fairs. The relationship with Benedicte LeCat, who operates FACEC International in Cannes, France is another relationship which I greatly appreciate.
FWM: One thing we learned from the pandemic was how important family is in our lives. Share your perspective.
Notably, when the pandemic became a longer term threat, it altered the semblance of life for everyone. Unfortunately the business world shifted or as many say “pivoted” and finding new ways of working and being efficient. The building where my studio is located was privately sold. This created another opportunity to realign my priorities and fortunately I was able to find an amazing new space, located in a fabulous building with a handful of creatives! Something I had always hoped for was to be in a warehouse environment, with hardwood floors, big tall windows and high ceilings and this is exactly what I have found. With the world taking a turn for the quiet, believe it or not, it was the most impactful time to be an artist. I have been called a “converted introvert” and being able to spend days and days in the solitude of a city on shutdown was perfect. The stillness was needed and the mindful approach to creating was exactly what was needed. Once the body of work was completed it needed to be photographed. The neighbors in the new space are all professional artists including singers, dancers and photographers! With the upcoming exhibition, I needed to have all my new work photographed and this is always a challenge especially having to take the work in and out of the studio. Fortunately Nadene Cleopatra Fermin has her studio next to mine! She is a portrait photographer with a very vivid and exceptional creative mind! We became friends immediately and now she is photographing my work.
FWM: “Understanding of the complexities of business, life challenges and problems, her wisdom and experience offers timely conversations with delicate and powerful mastery.” How is your art making an impact?
The nature of my work is abstract and yet there is a definite sense of transformational realism. The elements are a significant aspect of my work generously possessing most of the canvas with a gentleness of expression. The commission pieces are somewhat reflective of the emotion the client wishes to see expressed. I enjoy spending time discussing the feelings which the client hopes to experience when they are considering a specific area. Focal point of a room demands the attention of the viewer, therefore, it is a full expression of their values and interests. I manifest through the palette the expression. A term I use often to describe my work, is “complex simplicity”. For many people, the words resonate as the flow of life is always fluctuating into streams of highs and lows. I enjoy the challenge of creating the unknown. There is a magical sense of “awe” when I work with a client who deeply shares there love for my work as we together make it personalized and meaningful.
FWM: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
There are so many influences which I find powerful and nurturing. I like to think of myself as a constant learner. For decades I have been studying the writings and teachings of the great Buddhist teachers. I enrolled in the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) working on the home study program for many years. I also completed my studies in Applied Mindfulness and Transformative Mindfulness at the University of Toronto at Factor Inwentash – Department of Social Work. My greatest inspirations however, have always been sourced through music and drama. There are so many genres and creators of music which I find moving, intense and intoxicating. The depth of genius revealed in music brings the experience of painting into a higher state of existence. Several years ago I was overwhelmed by the indigenous music of Eagle and Hawk and Vince Fontaine. This resulted in an exhibition called “Trail of Tears” based on the story of She Who Carries The Sun. More recently the works have been influenced by a t.v. series called “Outlander”. It is a historical drama based on the novel series by Diana Gabaldon. The characters are transported back in time to 1743. Throughout the series there is a dance between time, karma and the ongoing relationship between the main characters : Sassannack and Jamie. The sharing of displ aced time and the emotions carry them through a twist of fate which has inspired a great deal of the current work I am doing. I also love the landscape of Scotland and feel the shadows and crevices demand our attention.
FWM: Are you taking the global stage in 2021?
There are several things happening throughout this year and next. I have recently joined Visual Voices in New York and will have my work on Artsy and perhaps in auction this fall. I will continue to exhibit with 13th Street Gallery in St. Catharines and through FACEC International my work will be exhibited at the prestigious art fair in Nantes, France and in Monaco in October.
I have also created the Karmic Art Experience Master Class with a full launch in September. It will be a journey to transform your life experiences and karma into manifesting the life of your dreams, while reducing your suffering creating positive growth!
Artists | Gallery at 13th (13thstreetgallery.com)
