Draft:Julie Witten-Land
Julie Witten-Land | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 1, 1978 |
| Died | January 20, 2020 (aged 41) |
| Style | Abstract art |
Julie Witten-Land was a Canadian painter based in Edmonton, Alberta.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Biography
[edit]Julie Witten-Land was a Canadian artist and industrial designer based in Ardrossan, Alberta. Known for her abstract paintings and mixed media works, Witten-Land blended art and industrial design to create innovative and emotionally resonant pieces. Born in Edmonton in 1978, she developed a passion for art and design early in life, studying Fine Arts at Grant MacEwan College and Industrial Design at the University of Alberta.
Prior to fully dedicating herself to art, Witten-Land ran a commercial décor business, decorating Boston Pizza restaurants across Canada. While successful, she found the work to be demanding and incompatible with family life. After having two children, she chose to pivot back to her artistic roots, focusing on creating unique, limited-edition pieces from her home studio. Her children often played nearby, reflecting her efforts to balance her creative pursuits with family responsibilities.
Career
[edit]Witten-Land's artistic journey was marked by a commitment to creating art that connected with her audience on a deeply emotional level. She aimed to craft pieces that evoked joy, nostalgia, and inspiration. Her work often incorporated hidden words of encouragement, inviting viewers to engage with her pieces on a personal level. She emphasized quality, detail, and craftsmanship, striving to create artwork that people could cherish for years.
Her passion for creating original, never-before-seen designs extended from her background in industrial design, where functionality and form met creativity. Witten-Land believed that art should not only be visually striking but also capable of eliciting powerful emotional responses from the viewer. She approached her art with a spiritual mindset, driven by her belief that creativity was a gift to be shared with others. Witten-Land’s art and designs have been featured in several publications, including Chatelaine, Notebook, Canadian Interiors Magazine, The Edmonton Journal, Calgary Swerve, and The Examiner. Her work is also part of permanent art collections, including the Strathcona County Art Collection (S.C.A.C.).
Exhibitions
[edit]Paintings with a Purpose (2017)
[edit]In 2017, Witten-Land showcased one of her most important exhibitions, Paintings with a Purpose, which was inspired by her time spent in an impoverished community near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The exhibition incorporated found materials from a landfill and sought to raise awareness about poverty. Half of the proceeds from the exhibition were donated to families in Gardena, Mexico. This exhibition highlighted her social consciousness, blending vibrant abstract paintings with raw materials to make a statement about sustainability and empathy.
The Jalopy Collection
[edit]Another of Witten-Land’s significant works was The Jalopy Collection, a photographic series that explored the emotional and cultural significance of automobiles. To her, cars were more than mere transportation; they were symbols of personal identity and life experiences. The series captured the decaying beauty of old cars, transforming rust and wear into a form of artistic revival. The vibrant colors and strong compositions of her images captured the nostalgic connection many people hold with their vehicles, while also celebrating the artistry in automotive design.
Edmonton Folk Music Festival (2009–2013)
[edit]From 2009 to 2013, Witten-Land exhibited her work at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Her earlier works were influenced by her background in industrial design and photography, showcasing minimalist pieces mounted on rusted boxes. Her presence at the festival solidified her role in Edmonton’s creative community, where she gained recognition for her innovative use of materials and her ability to merge functional design with fine art.
Design and commercial work
[edit]Before fully transitioning to fine art, Witten-Land was an industrial designer and ran a successful commercial décor business. She was commissioned to decorate Boston Pizza locations across Canada, which helped her develop a strong sense of space, form, and color theory. Despite the success, the demanding nature of the work led her to seek a more fulfilling balance between her creative ambitions and family life. This experience fueled her return to school and the development of a more personalized, emotionally connected approach to art.
Personal life
[edit]Julie Witten-Land lived and worked from her home studio in Ardrossan, Alberta, balancing her career as an artist with raising her two children. Her home life and family were central to her creative process, with her children often spending time in her studio while she worked on her pieces. Her art was deeply influenced by her desire to create joy and emotional connection for her audience, and she considered creativity to be her life’s calling, something she attributed to her spiritual beliefs.
Witten-Land passed away on January 20, 2020, at the age of 41.
Background
[edit]Witten-Land was both an abstract painter as well as a mixed media artist.[8][9][10][11][12][13] Witten-Land passed away on January 20, 2020.
Showcases
[edit]Between 2009 and 2013, Witten-Land exhibited at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. In 2009, the Edmonton Folk Festival wrote that "as an industrial designer, Julie Witten-Land finds herself intrinsically drawn to creating a contemplative aesthetic through the use of photography."[14] In 2013, Witten-Land showcased "photographic series in unexpected views mounted on hand made rusted boxes" at the festival.[15]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Maimann, Kevin (August 10, 2017). "Landfill Art: Edmonton painter scrounged through trash for latest exhibition". Metro News. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018.
- ^ Kaba, Shafraaz (January 12, 2006). "Cool Design From Around The World". Edmonton Journal. p. F3.
- ^ Kaba, Shafraaz (March 25, 2006). "Design Show Makes Grade With Students". Victoria Times-Colonist. p. F12.
- ^ Dirks, Janet (June 17, 2017). "An Artist's Creative Approach to Giving Back". CTV National News.
- ^ Griwkowsky, Catherine (June 9, 2009). "Art inducted into permanent collection; Acquisition program has collected more than 150 pieces to be displayed in public spaces in Strathcona County". Sherwood Park News.
- ^ Johnson, Doug (June 25, 2014). "Working with a metal canvass". Edmonton Examiner.
- ^ Unland, Karen (May 15, 2013). "How Do You Inspire Leadership?". Edmonton Journal. p. C6.
- ^ Moore, Jacquie (October 30, 2009). "Beyond The Crocheted Tea Cosy". Calgary Herald.
- ^ Unland, Karen (March 13, 2013). "Who Is Your Entrepreneurial Role Model?". Edmonton Journal. p. C6.
- ^ Stephen, Cindy (June 9, 2017). "Eclectic Street Party To Launch New Show Homes In Paisley". Edmonton Journal. p. A11.
- ^ McLachlan, Cody (July 15, 2017). "Social Seen". Edmonton Journal. p. D3.
- ^ Garner, Ryan (June 10, 2017). "Real Estate Enters Its Busiest Time". Edmonton Journal. pp. H3.
- ^ "Alberta artist shares her passion while giving back to the less-fortunate". Alberta. 2017-12-07. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
- ^ "Crafts: Salted Studio". The Edmonton Folk Music Festival. 30: 79. August 6, 2009.
- ^ "Crafts: Salted Studio". The Edmonton Folk Music Festival. 34: 88. August 8, 2013.