Judi Island
Hons. B.A. Fine Art, B. Ed.
Artist’s Statement
"I received an Honours B.A. from the Fine Art program at McMaster University and a B.Ed. from the University of Toronto. Later, I studied Jewellery and Silversmithing at the Ontario College of Art & Design, Toronto.
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While at University I worked as an assistant Curator at the Oakville Centennial Gallery, Oakville,ON. After graduating I taught art, sculpture, graphic arts and photography in the Specialized Arts Program at ‘Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts’, Toronto District School Board for 15 years. I also spent 2 fabulous years teaching photography and art at ‘Papakura High School’, New Zealand and at ‘Bega High School’ in NSW, Australia. I enjoyed teaching and many years traveling the world, both of which had a profound influence on my art.
For many years I have enjoyed exploring the limits of sculptural art work but due to physical limitations as a result of a C3 spinal cord injury (incomplete quadriplegia) in 1993, I have recently returned to my first artistic passion - painting, working in both oils and acrylics.
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After 6 years of therapeutic riding to build strength and endurance, I began competing with my horse Gitano in local Cadora dressage shows and we qualified for the Canadian ParaEquestrian Team. My commitment to train with Gitano as a member of the Canadian Paralympic team from 2000 leading up to the 2004 Athens Paralympics and thru to 2010 meant that my art was put on hold for those years.
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Influenced by the 3D form, currently, my focus is on the changing qualities of light and colour with an impressionist influence. It is more about the effects of light, colour and shapes rather than a realistic depiction of the subject. I am intrigued by colour and by the expression of light.
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I love the richness of the oil paint colours in my Canadian landscapes. Acrylics allow me to work quickly and spontaneously. I am enjoying using humour in my latest series of acrylic work - 'animals with attitude'."
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My art work has been exhibited in galleries in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
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Art Exhibitions
2019 'Kaleidoscope' Judi Island Landscapes & Emma Bradley, Cafe Creperie, Elora
Orangeville Art Group Display, Orangeville Visitor Center, Orangeville
Judi Island Landscapes, Orangeville Visitor Center, Orangeville
2018 Small World, Miniature Show Dec.-Jan. 2019, Creperie, Elora
2010-2019 Orangeville Art Group Annual Show, Orangeville, ON
2016 'Show of Light', The Creperie, Elora, ON
'Shades of Ability' Art Show, Toronto, ON
2010-2016 Orangeville Art Group Art Show, Orangeville, ON
2015 'Play on Colour & Light - Paintings by Judi Island', The Creperie, Elora, ON
2013 OAG Craft Exhibit, Orangeville Town Hall, Orangeville, ON
'Caledon Artists Show & Sale', Caledon Town Office, Caledon, ON
2005 'Connections 2', International Art Exhibition, Toronto, ON
1993 '2D-3D2', OSSTF Mandeville Gallery, Toronto, ON
1992 'Wexford Staff Show', OSSTF Mandeville Gallery, Toronto, ON
1991 'Sculptural Forms', Orewa Gallery, New Zealand
1990 '2D-3D', OSSTF Mandeville Gallery, Toronto, ON
1989 'Holding Up the Sky', Judi Island, OSSTF Mandeville Gallery, TO
1986, 1987 'Toronto Artist Group Show', Olivia's Gallery, Toronto, ON
1980 'Judi Island', Scarborough Board of Education, Toronto, ON
1978 'Art Forms', Kitchener-Waterloo Gallery, Kitchener, ON -Juried show
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Education
1993 Silversmith - Ontario College of Art and Design, Toronto, ON
1990 Advanced Jewelry Design - Ontario College of Art and Design, Toronto, ON
1989 Jewelry Design I - Ontario College of Art and Design, Toronto, ON
1982 Teaching Certification in Technical Studies, Drafting - University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
1981 Teaching Certification, Vocational Art - University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
1977 Bachelor of Education - University of Toronto, Toronto, ON
1976 Honors B.A. Studio Art and Art History - McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
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Awards
2019 Town of Orangeville, Arts & Culture Award - Utility Box Design
2016 Peoples Choice Award - Acrylic Painting, Shades of Ability' Art Show, Toronto
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Canadian Paralympic Equestrian Team Logo Design, Equine Canada, Ottawa
Sunrise Logo Design Competition, Sunrise Equestrian Center, Guelph
2004 "Heroes to Athens" -chosen by the Canadian Paralympic Committee to promote the 2003 Athens Paralympics
2003 Nike/CAAWS Girls @Play MPV Grant - 'Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport' to
honour the motivation, vision and perseverance of girls and women in sport and physical activity in sport.
2002 & 2003 Ontario Equestrian Federation Achievement Award -in recognition of International Achievements
2002 Ontario Sport Award -"2002 Sports Person of the Year" - Female with a Disability
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Professional Career
1992-1993 Sculpture Teacher in Specialized Art Program, Wexford Collegiate School For The Arts, T.D.S.B.
1991 Photography and Art Teacher - Papakura High School, New Zealand
1988-1990 Sculpture Teacher, TDSB - Wexford Collegiate School For The Arts
1984 Art Teacher - Bega High School, New South Wales, Australia
1978-1987 Graphic Arts Teacher - TDSB - Wexford Collegiate School For The Arts
1976-1977 Assistant Curator - Oakville Centennial Gallery, Oakville, ON
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Volunteer Work
2010-2017 Peer Support, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario
2007-2008 Paralympics Ontario Technical Representative
2005-2008 Ontario Therapeutic Riding Assoc. (OnTRA) - Vice-President, Board Member, Competition
Committee Chairperson
2001-2005 ‘Para Equestrian Canada’ - Rider Representative & 2005 - Board Member
2001-2002 Vice-President of ‘Carriage Driving for the Disabled in Ontario - Simcoe County Chapter’
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