Brian Lorimer returns from Africa

I had the pleasure of dropping into Gallery ArtPlus, in Belleville Ontario, which has featured Brian's works and talking to Dianne Lee, the gallery manager. Dianne was excited about her recent acquisitions of Brian's more recent works.

When I told her that I had seen his You Tube video on the Omo Valley in Ethiopia she informed me that both she and her husband had produced the video.

You can read more about Gallery ArtPlus, by clicking here.

To check out Brian's works you are invited to visit his website by clicking here.

Canadian Artist A Big Hit Down Under

Cambodian Orphans Reap Benefits From Sold Out Show

CLOYNE, Ont. - December 13, 2010. On November 25th, 2010 Canadian artist Brian Lorimer sells out his latest show at the famous Arthouse Hotel in Sydney Australia with the proceeds benefiting the orphans of Sunrise Children’s Village’s (SCV) in Cambodia.

In January, Brian recorded the adventures of City2Sunrise (C2S), an Australian based group who were embarking on a 14,000km motocross ride through South East Asia to raise funding and awareness for SCV. His wonderful paintings were exhibited at Gallery Artplus in Belleville, Ontario in July before the show traveled to Sydney last month.

Earlier this year, Gallery Artplus director Brant Cowie wrote, “It is an artist's mandate to awaken, to inspire, to educate and to provoke. We know that Brian's work has inspired, we now hope that this exhibition of his most recent works will awaken a love for life beyond our borders.” With the success of this collaboration, borders have fallen uniting three continents in their support for the children of Cambodia.

“I was absolutely thrilled to be a part of this incredible adventure. It’s one of the highlight achievements in my career” says Brian. According to Tom Bender, one of the C2S riders and long time friend, “We are so excited to have Brian as part of the team. The sold out show is testimony to how beautiful the work is and how desirable Brian’s work has become.”

This show concludes the City2Sunrise adventure, raising the total proceeds over $135,000 for the orphans of Sunrise Children’s Villages.

You are invited to view Brian's work by clicking here

Brian Lorimer: Kids of Dontro

Where do I begin to write about the kids of Dontro?

I find myself intriqued by the mechanics of how this picture works. When we look into it we see two little children who are surrounded by semi impressionistic/abstract designs,shapes and colours.

This surround effect adds drama to the work and it enhances their visual impact. Its as if the children are caught walking out of an earth coloured tunnel into a world of brightness, and light.

Take a look at the undefinable surround and you will see Brian's love of abstraction coming through with sparkles, bubbles, scratches and feather shapes. Contrast this with such definable qualities as timidity and shyness which are shown in the faces and body language of the two children.

The more I look at the children the more questions come to mind. Why is the little boy naked? Do all little boys his age and in his culture, go naked? Or is this ia world of desparate poverty and need.

This intersection between such defined questions and such undefinable abstraction is the point of power. The children are enhanced. Their needs are more dominant.
Look at the little girl's feet. She seems to emerge from mist. She walks out of her world into our hearts.

Now, look into their faces. They are looking at you and responding to you as the viewer. You are part of this work, like it or not. Are the children awaiting your response?

You certainly know how to reach into our deepest sensitivities, Brian. A well constructed and powerfully painted work.

Artist's Comment

CITY2SUNRISE: A JOURNEY THROUGH ASIA

This painting would not exist if not for some very courageous people. You see, one year ago I was invited to join a group known as City2Sunrise (C2S) to help them document an amazing journey throughout South East Asia to raise funding and awareness for some very special orphans in Cambodia. C2S consists of four guys from Australia who embarked on a journey of 14’000kms that would take them through five countries. It took them over three years to plan and almost four months to complete, all on motocross bikes.

In January 2010 my partner Margaret and I joined the team in Singapore. We accompanied the guys on and off for five weeks documenting the adventure at strategic points along the way. Along with us was filmographer Christopher Clarke who was hired to create a documentary film of the adventure. Of course there were many highlights but none touched the moment we all arrived in the Cambodian capitol Phnom Penh to meet the children of Sunrise Children’s Villages.

Sunrise is operated by one of the most dynamic women you will ever meet. Her name is Geraldine Cox, a small robust women with fire-red hair and a personality to match. She met one of the team members at a fundraiser in Sydney Australia and they were so impressed they offered to help any way they could. Several weeks later City2Sunrise was formed.

As for my part, I returned home and began a series of work that to date has been exhibited in Canada and Australia raising over $25,000 for the kids. In total City2Sunrise has now raised over $135,000.

Brian Lorimer: Art Makes A Difference

Brian is an artist who beleives that art can make a difference. And how? Well, he is partnering with an organization called City2Sunrise. Brian writes about this partnership of their plans: "Together we are planning on making a difference in the lives of children in the world and our first stop is Cambodia. In January, I will be joining my friends from Australia on an extraordinary journey through South East Asia. It promises to be a trip of a lifetime, that we hope will bring awareness to the plight of the children in the Sunrise Children’s Village Orphanage. They will be riding motocross bikes over 14,000 kms to raise funds for for the Orphanage. My contribution is going to be a show of my work that will be about the Trip and the Orphanage."

Brian was born in Belleville, and studied at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Ontario College of Art and Design. His custom murals can be seen in the Toronto Zoo, Hard Rock Cafe, O'Charley's Restaurants, and Labatt's Breweries. He now paints from his home on Missassagagon Lake.

Brian had a recent showing at Gallery Artplus in Belleville, On, and before that at Lorimer Studios in Toronto, and at Art Auction, in Barrie, Ontario.

Click here to visit Brian's website.


Brian