Just over a year ago I was invited by Kathy van Gogh to meet Lisa Wolfin the founder of the Vancouver Visual Art Foundation (VVAF). I was then invited to become a member of the board of directors. I'm a close friend of the family through my dear Friend Carly van Gogh. Yes, they are related to Vincent, and the name says it all. They are a wonderfully eclectic family, passionate, loving, with an insatiable zest to experience all life has to offer.
Two years ago, I had the fortunate opportunity to be a guest for dinner at Kathy's home. The highlight of the evening was Kathy's wine chicken, a succulent dish braised in red wine, showcasing her love for home cooking. This particular branch of the van Gogh family is enriched with both Dutch and Italian heritage, reflecting a profound appreciation for art and food alike.
Above her dining room table is one of Kathy's paintings, Anthony Bourdain. Throughout the evening I could not stop looking at it. Kathy managed to capture the wry side half smile that Anthony often expressed discovering amazing food as he travelled the world. She perfectly captured his aged, contemplative eyes, with a glimpse of the fleeting wonder you saw when he met brilliant chefs. Most viscerally however, was the colours. She used blues, lilac, pink, and purple, mixed with a bit of yellow watercolours to paint his face. The crease on his neck was shaded with a dark purple, over-shaded just slightly. It takes you a moment to see it, then you are hit. A powerful reminder of the true sadness he felt and the way he ended his life. The right side of the painting is covered with real rusted iron, covering part of Anthony. This really brings home the inner darkness he felt. It's a stark contrast to the beautiful watercolours, this dirty, dark rust. It is profoundly sad, shockingly beautiful, and most of all a painting that captures him completely.
I don't have an art history background. I'm not a collector. I really am quite the layman when it comes to art. I think that is why I accepted my role with VVAF. Many people really enjoy art and like me, can sometimes be intimidated by it. Is my opinion valid? Am I missing the point? Jeff and I always make a point to see the big famous art museums around the world, but we often find the pop up shows, and the small galleries too. Every trip we do we try to immerse ourselves in the art of that region. Seeking the artistic expression of different cultures, different times in history, and what's going on now. Art speaks to everyone.
My goal as a board member is to ensure that art is very accessible, and inclusive. I want to ensure we showcase art from around the world, from Indigenous artists, queer artists, emerging artists, and so many more. This year, I'm thrilled to announce that the Art Vancouver Contemporary Art Fair, held at the Vancouver Convention Centre from April 11th to 14th, will showcase an impressive diversity of art. We are hosting a panel of four Indigenous artists who will share their experiences with censorship of their art - an important message to help continue reconciliation with Indigenous artists. Additionally, we'll feature a performance by a Korean drummer who will be accompanied by his wife, presenting her remarkable artwork at the fair. Please message me on LinkedIn for free VIP tickets to the show at the Vancouver Convention Centre in just two weeks. Come and find me on the floor and we can discuss your favourite art at the show, or travel, or just catch up.
A note from the artist of the above piece 'Hearts Unknown"
This piece is Watercolour and Iron particles that I rusted after application, on canvas. It's fairly unconventional to paint watercolour on canvas and also larger than most watercolours - 24 by 36 inches. Unconventional is appropriate both for me and for Anthony. I adored his irreverence and his courage and the way he unconditionally accepted other cultures through their food. I thought he was smart, talented, complicated and an enigma. If there is a road to world peace, I think he was on it.
When he died I was affected. That's weird for me because I do not idolize celebrities. There are only a few who I would want to invite over for dinner, Anthony is obviously one of them. Anyway when he committed suicide, I felt compelled to paint him. Many artists feel this compulsion in their work - we get obsessed until we are able to get it out.  As soon as I finished the painting, I felt a lot better. Art is therapy in so many ways.
Anyway, if you notice the neck area, you will see that I have tried to actually capture how I imagined his death. That may sound morbid to many but to me, it was a crucial part of my emotional and artistic process. In art, you have to be willing to look at things honestly no matter how distasteful, raw or scary. Â
I have also tried to capture the duality of what I, as an outsider, yet admirer of his, saw in him...both the dark and the light side of Anthony Bourdain. I think he must have had a wide pendulum arc between those two dichotomies of what it was to be Anthony Bourdain.
Today Anthony hangs in place of pride in my home and I often raise a glass to him in gratitude for the hours of education, laughter and enjoyment he gave me, or still, now and then, pause for a brief moment in front of his portrait in sadness at his death. And I find myself thinking, with surprise, that Anthony Bourdain went out with a whimper, when it should have been a bang.
- Kathy van Gogh
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