illustrations

One Fine T’ing illustrations of Jamaica at LAUNCH in Peterborough

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Rob Niezen created around thirty vignettes for One Fine T’ing – The Story of Jamaican Self-Help. These approximately 2 x 6″ (5 x 15 cm) line illustrations in ink are based on photos made during a tour around Jamaica with Jamaican Self-Help (JSH), including visits to JSH projects in downtown Kingston and the parish of Saint Mary. Jamaican Self-Help stopped in 2021, and the projects it supported are now sponsored by an NGO named Uzazi. The original illustrations are for sale. They come in an 8 x 10″ (20 x 25 cm) matte with manilla board backing in a poly bag, and are CAN $ 40 each. I am donating 25% of the proceeds to Uzazi. You can purchase these at LAUNCH Gallery at The Art School of Peterbrough.
Check out the selection available illustrations here.

 

Kawartha Art Gallery in Lindsay hosts Cross Cut exhibition

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Cross Cut is a series of linocuts reflecting on traditional songs from Ontario with a contemporary perspective. Rob Niezen has selected 23 songs and placed the original narrative in a contemporary context by ‘crosscutting’. Crosscutting is a technique borrowed from film editing used to illustrate a narrative action that happens in several places at the same time, or in one place at different times. The exhibition aims to connect our recent history and today’s society, and the issues we face as citizens of Ontario and Canada, and invites viewers to reflect on what’s happening with them and around them. Has life improved, or is progress only on a materialistic level? Folk songs make global issues accessible to everyone, as they are created and sung by real people telling real human stories.
Rob Niezen gratefully acknowledges the support from the Ontario Arts Council.

Opening reception on Saturday July 15, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00pm at Kawartha Art Gallery, with the artist talk at 2:30 pm.
The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
190 Kent Street West, Second Floor, Lindsay ON K9V 2Y6

Artspace Book + Zine Fest 2022

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ArtSpace 6th annual Book and Zine Fest, a celebration of regional press, zine, and comic arts runs from Monday, March 7, 2022 7:00 am to Sunday, March 13, 2022 5:00 pm. Rob Niezen is participating with a digital vendor booth, featuring three of his projects. Artspace hosts a number of activities as part of this Zine Fest. Check them out here.

Rob Niezen again participating in the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour

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Sandy MacFarlane and Rob welcome you to their studios during the Kawartha Autumn Studio Tour on September 25 and 26, from 10am to 5pm, for a view of what they have been up to the last few years.

Last year we could only do this by appointment, so it is a relief to be able to open up. To make everyone feel safe and at ease, we will follow COVID-protocols as laid out by the Peterborough Public Health Unit and the Government of Ontario.
• Masks are required while visiting the studio
• Physical distancing measures will be in place
• Hand sanitizer will be available
• Maximum capacity for the total of our studio spaces is 12 persons
• Visitors are required to complete COVID-19 screening questions and contract tracing prior to entering the studio

As always the event is curated and organized to perfection by the Art Gallery of Peterborough, and you can find all you need to know about the studio tour, including an interactive touring map and a printable map, as well as artist links and bios on the gallery’s website.

Rob Niezen illustrates children’s book by Jamaican author Angela Punky Stultz

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During the strange year of 2020 I had the pleasure of working on illustrations for a children’s book titled Ameliya Dissappears. Jamaican author Angela Punky Stultz has combined childhood memories and her deep understanding of community culture to create a story of a little girl living with her grandmother and cousins in the Caribbean who stumbles upon her grandmother’s age old family secret. It is now available on Amazon
In the Peterborough, Ontario area copies are available at By the Books, 384 Water St, Peterborough, LAUNCH at the Art School of Peterborough, 174A Charlotte St, and Happenstance Books & Yarns, 44 Queen St, Lakefield.

Rob Niezen Artist