Underwater world theme of art show

Local artist Judy Niebergall is back with a new solo show at the pARTners Art Gallery in the Yorkton Public Library.

The show is one the veteran artist had not expected to do.

"I wasn't going to do anymore shows but Sandra (MacColl) got to me," she said with a smile in a recent Yorkton This Week interview.

Niebergall said she likes to participate in local artist shows, and the annual event at Cherrydale Golf Course, because it gives her the opportunity to interact with other artists, but in terms of solo exhibits she admitted "it's been a while."

But when it comes to art, Niebergall remains an impassioned painter.

"I'll always be painting," she said.

In terms of the show currently on display, the theme is different from what might be expected from a Saskatchewan artist.

"I've been painting a lot of underwater themed paintings," she said.

Niebergall said the underwater world of oceans have captivated her.

"The first time I went snorkeling (when on holidays) I was so amazed by the underwater scenery, the world most people never see," she said. " It's a whole 'nother world that's just so exciting."

As an artist the world she saw called to her, and she said she has remained an avid snorkeler since.

"It's so different, and it's so colourful," she said. "When you go on the ocean floor it's polka dots, and peaches and tangerines and red and greens, sometimes all on the same fish."

Niebergall said what she saw was a world she realized she had long imagined.

"As a child I painted fish like these out of my imagination," she said, adding it was incredible to see what she had created in her mind's eye back then actually existed. It was such an epiphany she said, "I laughed underwater" realizing it to the point her face mask filled with water.

While the show's theme is an underwater world, Niebergall's work runs through many mediums, from straight watercolour, and photography to collage. As an artist she admits being told years ago "To stick to the same medium and get known in that." But its advice she has ignored preferring to explore varied art styles.

"I love experimenting with my work and trying new things," she said.

The experimentation includes gyotaku, a Japanese technique used decades ago as a way of recording new species of fish. Ink is actually applied to the body of a fish, which is then wrapped in rice paper to capture an image of the fish. Niebergall used the technique to capture three perch landed by her husband.

"It was a way to record different species of fish," she said. " It was quite an interesting method."

The pieces are collected from the past several years, with only three done specifically for the show. They represent starfish.

"I probably would have done them anyway," added the artist.

Niebergall said like most of her art over the years, there is a subtle message in the show's work. She said she hopes people recognize the amazing things which exist naturally in our world, and that we have a responsibility to maintain that world.

"I think all of creation is very special. We have to take care of it we have to protect it."

The show is currently available for public viewing during regular library hours.