Marta Stares – The Forest Is My Teacher – March 31 – April 18

My recent trip to Lake Superior and Pukaskwa National Park inspired this series about the transformative power of the Boreal Forest. Pukaskwa is situated along the rocky shores of Lake Superior: picture towering cliffs, windswept spruce, secluded sandy beaches and lush boreal forests. I was in love! The way the setting sun peeked through dense, moss covered
trees – so mystical. What resonated with me most about the boreal forest is that it is in a constant state of change. Growth – decay – renewal – repeat. The forest itself is not ancient like I initially thought. It is regularly affected by insects, fires and other natural disturbances so it continually renews itself. Disturbance is an integral part of a healthy forest, without it there is no growth. The canvases you see here were once part of a different body of work that no longer served me. They are re-stretched, repainted and reworked. The boreal forest has taught me important lessons about change and renewal – this has guided my current body of work.