Fashion Phantom

[vaneramos]

We arrived early for Robyn's art show opening on Friday evening. Hardly anyone was there. My niece, consumed in a creative whirl, hurried to put last minute things in place. My brother and his wife arrived after a few minutes; returning from a ribbon quest.

She had made postcard-sized prints of six of her paintings, and sold them for $1 each, $5 for an entire pack, tied in a red ribbon. Fifteen per cent of proceeds from sale of these will go to Sheena's Place, a centre for people with eating disorders.

Half the walls of the boutique, including part of the front and an entire small back room, are devoted to her art. All this work created since the spring criticizes the objectification of women through fashion. Ironic, considering the venue. The paintings consist of five large canvasses, a number of smaller ones, and three haunting portraits on the bottoms of skateboards. The latter and some other work can be viewed at http://myspace.com/rybonart

"She has worked hard to put this together," I said to my brother.

"It's all black and white," he said. That was all.

I heard that someone told Robyn she shouldn't try to say so much, so soon. I say, that's her choice. My family in general does not relate to art as a statement (it's just supposed to be pretty), but Brenna and I were engaged, and I told Robyn so.

By 9 p.m. the boutique was packed with family and friends, and two paintings had sold. A very successful evening for her.

My nephew Darcy and his girlfriend arrived and we had a few minutes to visit. Under the name Waffle, he writes lyrics and sings lead vocal for a band. They have done three concerts, and all proceeds went to the local humane society. He is finishing his last year of a business degree, but I hear he has little interest in pursuing that field further. My family never dreamt both brother and sister would take directions like these. I for one am proud of them.

Fashion Phantom is showing at M-ONE-11, 561 Queen St. West, Toronto, until November 12.

Comments

[lichtgespinst.livejournal.com]

what an artsy family you have! that's fun!! :-)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I'm glad Robyn and Darcy have the guts to emerge as creative types. It encourages me.

[quirkstreet.livejournal.com]

Holy crap, your niece and nephew are awesome. I'm listening to Waffle right now and while I can't claim to be knowledgeable enough about hip hop to tell how good it is, I can tell I'm liking it.

I wonder how freaked they would be to have random weirdos from the US friending them on MySpace because they know their uncle. :)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Glad you like it. I won't be able to listen to Darcy's newer stuff until I get the new computer set up.

I doubt that either of them would be freaked. Tell them I sent you.

[bitterlawngnome.livejournal.com]

"It's all black and white," he said. That was all.

Holy crap I hope he didn't say it to her. That is soul-crushing.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I don't know what her parents have said to her. I had more of a conversation with my sister-in-law. She said she liked some of the paintings and couldn't relate to others, but her attitude wasn't condescending. I suppose it means something that her parents are present and willing to assist. Regardless of how my family responds to her work, Robyn seems to be managing to find her way pretty well. I just continue to tell everyone who will listen that she is doing the right thing.

[trinker.livejournal.com]

Huzzah for your niece, and how nice for her that you (and Brenna) are out there to support her.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I thought it really important to be there.

[token-otter.livejournal.com]

I'll have to head down one of these days I have off to see the show. I'm sorry I couldn't make it last night. I had a volleyball seminar that I had to be at. Maybe I'll head down today and take my writing book :)

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Let me know what you think.