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.