Representational or abstract, my drawings imply a human presence, whether actual or implied.
Capturing the implied essence of human presence is the basis for the series entitled Conversations with Time. The full length, frontal “portrait” of an empty chair is arranged as to communicate beyond the confines of the frame – engaging the viewer in “conversation”. Each is subtitled to imply a moment “after the” event and it, in conjunction with the environment, gives the viewer more information regarding the age, rank, background and social role of the gender portrayed. The shallow space in which the chair is positioned – only indications of depth are the chair and floor boards – coupled with the opaque white void within the window emphasizes the surface tension inherent in one dimensional supports. This is further reinforced with the exposure of the papers edges, a conscious framing decision with a majority of my artwork.
In my most recent series – Abstracts – I have been able to experiment more with the charcoal, incorporating it with other media and introducing colour. The drawn line is rawer; the sequence of the drawing progress from blank paper to completed drawing is more transparent. Visible are my many marking making gestures – raw lines of media and eraser, interspersed with sections of smudging/smearing with the hand – all sweeping over the taped off linear shapes. Once the tape is removed to reveal the paper support, this internal frame (line/shape) frees a section of the drawing from the chaos surrounding it, even though it is a derivative of the drawing process. The paper support becomes just as important as the media layered on its surface as it becomes integral in the dialogue of interior/exterior, foreground/background and the push/pull of individual layers.
2011 - Best in Drawing Category, Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto ON
2009 - 2009 Awarded 5th Place, 8th Annual Juried Salon, Kingston Arts Council, Kingston ON
- Visual Artist: Emerging Grant, Ontario Arts Council
2008 - Exhibition Assistance Grant, Ontario Arts Council, Bodies and Motion, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, Cornwall ON
- Honourable Mention, On the Waters Edge, Firehall Theatre, Gananoque ON
- Juror’s Award, 1st Annual Juried Art Show, Marianne van Silfhout Gallery, Brockville ON
- Awarded 5th Place, 7th Annual Juried Salon, Kingston Arts Council, Kingston ON
- Awarded 1st Place, Annual Juried Exhibition, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, Cornwall ON
2007 - Awarded 5th Prize, 6th Annual Juried Art Salon, Kingston Arts Council, Kingston ON
- Awarded 2nd Place, Annual Juried Exhibition, Cornwall Regional Art Gallery, Cornwall ON
2006 - Exhibition Grant, Ontario Arts Council, Fulford Place Museum Exhibit
2011 - One of a Kind Christmas Show, Toronto ON; Ottawa Art Expo, Ottawa ON; 50th Annual Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, Toronto ON; 1000 Islands Wine & Food Festival, Brockville ON
2010 - One of a Kind Christmas Show, Toronto ON; Art in the City Brockville, Brockville ON; Laurie Sponagle & Kathrine Christensen, Spotlight on the Rideau, Smith Falls ON; Kingston Glass Studio & Gallery, Kingston ON
2009 - Sandra Whitton Gallery, Kingston ON
2008 - Conversations with Time: Gananoque Chairs, 1000 Islands Playhouse, Gananoque ON
2007 - Sandra Whitton Gallery, Kingston ON
2006 - Conversations with Time: Fulford Chairs, Fulford Place Museum, Brockville ON
Elaine Fleck’s Catalogue of Contemporary Fine Art, ‘Best of 2011’, The Elaine Fleck Gallery, Toronto ON. Popular local artist awarded “Best of show” at prestigious outdoor exhibition, The Observer, July 20/11, p. 16
Artist’s Profile: Laurie Sponagle, Dispatch: The Newsletter of CARFAC Ontario, V15:4, p 6.
'Laurie Sponagle - Headbones Gallery,The Drawers' Artist Catalogue, commentary by Julie Oakes, from exhibit HighlyRecommended, January 11 - February 20, 2007, Rich Fog Micro Publishing,Toronto ON
