Current Exhibition

Our ninth Art competition “Abstract” started in June 2025 and concluded on July 17, 2025. Art Room Gallery received entries from many countries around the world: Taiwan, Austria, Philippines, Canada, USA, Germany and Ireland. The Abstract theme in this competition included a diversity in types, styles and mediums (acrylic, watercolor, graphite, oil, digital art, photography). The following evaluation criteria has been used for judging the artwork: creativity, interpretation of the theme, originality and quality of art, overall design, demonstration of artistic ability, and usage of medium. Jury decided to select 40 artworks for inclusion in the exhibition. Aside from First, Second, and Third place Jury also presented Merit awards and Honorable Mention awards.

Thank you, and enjoy the exhibition!

Statement:

Born in Poland, Margaret graduated with a Master's degree from the Faculty of Interior Architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow. Additionally, she completed the internationally acclaimed Paris College of Art summer program (PCA) in France. During her studies, Margaret was consistently recognized for her work in the discipline that she was most enamoured with: painting. Following her move to Canada, Margaret has focused on exploring and bringing her inner experience to the canvas by creating personally meaningful artwork. She exhibits regularly each year, with several of her recent pieces having been added to private collections throughout Canada, Europe, and the USA. She has participated in the international and national competitions, with her work being selected for juried exhibitions and winning several awards. Experience related to the exhibitions, awards, press coverage, publications and interviews can be viewed on the Exhibitions page: margaretwasiuta.com/exhibitions Margaret is a Member of: Colour and Form Society (CFS) - Canada, Art Resilience Movement - France, and an Associate of the Society of Canadian Artists (SCA)

Statement:

Jason Shih was born in 1972 in Taiwan. In 1991, he began to specialize in metal sculpture when he was a sophomore in the Fine Arts Dept. of Taipei National University of the Arts. In 2001, he graduated from School for American Crafts, Rochester Institute of Technology, USA, and majored in Metal Sculpture. And then, he served as the metal sculptor Albert Paley's assistant, involved in crafts and public art work practices. Furthermore, he earned his Art Ph. D. from China Academy of Art, China (2015). Now, he lives in Taiwan, and consistently engages in the both areas of sculpture and public art. Jason Shih’s artistic vision is shaped by a diverse array of influences, from contemporary dance to avant-garde fashion. He cites German choreographer Pina Bausch and British designer Alexander McQueen as significant inspirations. Bausch’s explorations of time and space resonate with Shih’s interest in sculpture’s capacity to embody kinetic energy and spatial imagination. McQueen’s innovative approach to contemporary imagery and themes provides Shih with a broad canvas for creative expression.

Statement:

After a very rewarding 33 year career teaching art, Karen Macdonald has recently begun to focus on her own expression through abstract painting. As a young artist Karen focused on watercolour and printmaking but now works almost exclusively in acrylic and mixed media. Her work is often an exploration of techniques, materials, textures, and contrasting elements. The push and pull of light and dark, subtle and bold, organic and geometric, provide visual interest while combining with geometric and linear elements to control the composition. Balance and harmony are often achieved through intuitive mark making, the choice and placement of colour, and through the repeated motif of the circle, which holds an important place in each painting. Throughout history the circle has symbolized unity and wholeness and has permeated every aspect of our lives. From the planets, to nature, to the repetitive cycles of time, the circle is universal and pervasive. In Karen’s paintings, whether whole or broken, the circle represents our attempt to reach society’s perceived idea of completeness. The imposed order often found in her work is symbolic of the way we try to control every aspect of our lives in a continual search for that wholeness and fulfilment. Karen's recent work has been featured in both online and gallery shows, where she has received recognition through several awards.