A Vancouver artist who has been gaining local recognition is preparing to debut her original art concept on the international art scene. Deborah Holowka will be exhibiting her work at the sixth International Biennial of Contemporary Art in Florence, Italy from the 1st to the 9th of December 2007 in the historical Fortezza da Basso. Artists from around the globe are invited to participate and only those selected by the Biennale's Internal Committee or the International Scientific Committee are able to participate. This will be Holowka's first opportunity to showcase her work outside of Canada. She will exhibit two paintings, The Invitation and Boulevard of Life. Both are part of her V-Series which focuses on the pursuance of life and the choices around living.
"The Biennale is an amazing opportunity to generate international interest in my work through engagement with fellow artists, art directors, and the general public," says Deborah Holowka, artist and creator of Danusha™ an Energy & Art Experience (www.danusha.ca). "It's an honour to know that my unique style and process has captured the attention of one of the most authoritative juries in the world. It adds credibility to my work and shows there is a real interest in art that has an intensely personal meaning."
Holowka is a visual artist who has been working as a full time painter for the past three years. She has been involved in music and the arts her entire life, and has worked in the graphic communications industry since 1998. Through her signature practice known as Danusha™, Holowka uses art as a vehicle to personify the energy she captures from her subject matter. Influenced by her diverse cultural and geographical experiences, she uses rich textures, layers, and bold colours to convey her life passions in her abstract paintings.
Holowka grew up in an artistic family. Her father has been an artist for most of his life and he always hoped his daughter would also embrace art.
"I had a burning image in my head for about nine months," says Holowka. "Finally I asked my dad if he had a spare canvas and some paints and brushes I could borrow. He thought I was joking, but gave them to me anyway. I went home immediately and painted my first painting. When I showed my dad the painting, he was elated and said 'I always knew you had it in you'. I'm very proud to be able to carry on the family tradition."
The Florence Biennale, first held in 1997, is the largest artist-supported democratic art exhibition in the world. Since 2001 the Biennale has collaborated with the United Nations as an official partner in the Dialogue Among Nations program. Artists are selected based on the quality of their artwork and the cultural values their work represents. Over 800 artists from 74 countries will meet the 25,000 visitors expected over the nine days.
About Deborah Holowka
Deborah Holowka is the creator of Danusha™ an Energy & Art Experience (www.danusha.ca), a unique practice that involves capturing, translating and transferring energy snapshots of her subject matter onto canvas. Holowka is inspired by the energy of people, places, and things - their beauty and power - and attaching a voice to that energy through her abstract creations. Danusha is Deborah's Ukrainian name and is also the name she uses to sign her paintings. Her work has been commissioned and sold internationally.