Location: Canada
My artistic development started over 30 years ago in Poland, through the Commercial Art College and Sacred Art College (Christian Symbolism in Visual Arts). In 1987, along with my husband and one and the half year old daughter, I became a political refugee escaping from the regime of Communism. At first, we resided in Greece, where we went through the two years legal process of being permitted to enter Canada. We had three interviews with the organizations for the refugees and emigration. After detail interview with the Canadian Ambassador in Athens, we were granted Canadian residency based on our professional credentials, knowledge and skills.
In Canada, I became a mother for a second time, giving birth to another wonderful daughter while my husband started to work professionally as mechanical engineer. While taking care of my family, I continued to create and had numerous exhibitions in Ontario region. I also wrote, co-produced and co-directed a few multi-media performances, based on visual and performing arts, which involved multicultural artists and audiences.
In 1996, my husband was offered great engineering position in USA, where we have moved and resided for nearly five years. While in Colorado, I strengthened my education and graduated with Magna Cum Laude from the University of Colorado Fine Arts, Studio Arts program. I also had successful individual art shows at the Canaan Gallery in Denver.
After my return to Canada, in 2001, I established ArtVeritas Visual Arts Studio where I continued to create and offer art programs to people of all ages. In 2004, I attended York University for the full time Teachers College program and I earned a bachelor degree in Education, specializing in Visual Arts and Social Sciences. After that, I was teaching in several international schools in Ontario, where I developed the entire visual arts departments and programs for grades 9-12. I also had the opportunity to teach a Visual Arts summer program in Italy to high school students.
In 2011, my husband died unexpectedly during our trip to Greece, where I was invited to a sponsored, four weeks long Painters Symposium, to paint along with eleven European artists.
This sudden tragedy was life changing and put on hold my artistic plans and activities.
Eventually, I have moved to Niagara region, was remarried and reestablished my ArtVeritas Visual Arts Studio in Niagara-On-The-Lake. Several years ago I also became dance instructor which allows me to fulfill my deep passion for music and creative movement. I teach Beats By Beata fitness based dance in a local community center, and continue to create and to offer art-programs for children, youth and adults.
I show my work through solo and group shows in a local galleries as well as my ArtVeritas studio.
Links
https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news-story/9040940-bringing-creativity-to-the-community/ and https://www.niagarathisweek.com/community-story/9039884-beata-s-bringing-art-to-the-community/
https://shopvida.com/collections/beata-oconnell?page=2
http://www.westofthecity.com/people-and-events/artist-profile-beata-goik/
http://www.westofthecity.com/article/100670/ARTIST-PROFILE:-Beata-Goik (West of the City magazine: further bio and information)
The light in my work speaks about spiritual aspects of our existence and about divine and mysterious Presence. The textured and organic emergence of the surfaces relates to our earthly physicality and symbolizes our human struggle with life circumstances and with ourselves. The light penetrates through the texture and offers transformation, a sense of peace and belonging. It reminds us of our true destination. These symbolic images refer to my own spiritual and emotional development and also to the inner experiences of people who share with me their life journey.
Both the light and texture in my work are developed through the complex, layered and mixed-media processes which I have experimented with and learned over the years of my artistic activity. I wanted to achieve relief-like appearances to emphasize depth and dimension and to express complexity of the interior.
Land Beyond The Horizon series are being inspired by my inner experiences of life’s mystery and journey. Trips to Alaska and Ireland which I took, clarified the idea and title to these series. Horizons which I observed there, emphasized dramatic contrast between light and shadow, texture and colour; which I perceived as symbolic expression of our experience with pain and hope, death and rebirth.
Every one of us stops sometimes in middle of our life’s busy schedule and look towards “horizon” where heaven and earth meet. When weather allows, light shines on the horizon and creates almost mystical experience for an eye and the soul. Light seems to come from somewhere beyond the horizontal line; creating unity between visible and invisible worlds. Especially our sunrises and sunsets observed from the shores, seem to express some supernatural beauty and love of invisible world. World which comes to meet us from beyond the horizons of our earthly path…
I see the light from beyond
the horizon of my soul
shining on my pain
approaching my wounds
transforming my way
Of Being
I see the light from beyond
the horizon of my life
shining on my fear
approaching my failures
transforming my path
Of Seeing
The light in my work speaks about spiritual aspects of our existence and about divine and mysterious Presence. The textured and organic emergence of the surfaces relates to our earthly physicality and symbolizes our human struggle with life circumstances and with ourselves. The light penetrates through the texture and offers transformation, a sense of peace and belonging. It reminds us of our true destination. These symbolic images refer to my own spiritual and emotional development and also to the inner experiences of people who share with me their life journey.
Both the light and texture in my work are developed through the complex, layered and mixed-media processes which I have experimented with and learned over the years of my artistic activity. I wanted to achieve relief-like appearances to emphasize depth and dimension and to express complexity of the interior.
New series of paintings about the power of light in the midst of stormy ocean. Light represents presence of God and stormy ocean represents dramatic changes in our life and in the world. These paintings were shown recently through the MikReation Gallery in Virgil, Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON. Presently are available for viewing and sale through my ArtVeritas Art Studio.
ArtVeritas Visual Arts Studio is located in Virgil, Niagara-On-The-Lake, ON. Specious, bright and highly artistic studio, was opened in a heritage building which was established in 1876 and served as elementary school till 2011. Additionally to the creation of my own original artwork, I offer through ArtVeritas workshops for children, youth and adults. Specialty workshops are combined with wine tours in Niagara region.
“Light In My Soul (1)”
“Light In My Soul (2)”
“Beginning ”
“Against Darkness ”
“Let There Be Light (2)”
“Let There Be Light (1)”
“Land Of Light”
“Land Of Calm ”
“Land Of Peace”
“Land Of Transformation ”
“Land Of No More Dark”
“Land Of Presence ”
“Land Of The Youth”
“Land Of I Am”
“Land Of Hope (1)”
“Land Of Hope (2)”
“Hope”
“Luminous”
“Towards The Light”
“Stepping Out”
“Solo Show at the 13th Streets Winery ”
“Solo Show at the 13th Street Winery”
“Solo Show at the 13th Street Winery”
“Transforming Light”
“Changes ”
“From The Shore ”
“Renewal (part 1)”
“Renewal (part 2)”
“Storm”
“In the Studio”
“In the Studio”
“In the Studio”
“ArtVeritas Visual Art Studio Opening ”
“ArtVeritas Visual Arts Studio Opening”
“ArtVeritas Visual Arts Studio Solo Show”
“ArtVeritas Visual Arts Studio Solo Show”
“ArtVeritas Visual Arts Studio ”
“ArtVeritas Workshops ”
“ArtVeritas Workshops”
“Art Show at the 13th Street Winery ”
“Art Show at the 13th Street Winery ”
“Solo Show at the 13th Street Winery”
“Solo Show at the 13th Street Winery”
“Sip and Paint at the 13th Street Winery”
“Solo Show at the Pumphouse Gallery ”
“Solo Show at the Pumphouse Gallery ”
“Solo Show at the Pumphouse ”
“Solo Show at the Pumphouse Gallery ”
“Solo Show at the Pumphouse Gallery ”
“Solo Show at the Pumphouse Gallery ”
“Solo Show at the Arta Gallery ”
“Solo Show at the Arta Gallery ”
“Solo Show at the Arta Gallery ”
“Solo Show at the Arta Gallery ”
“Solo Show at the Arta Gallery ”
“Solo Show at the Arta Gallery ”
“Stations of the Cross (before)”
“Stations of the Cross (after)”
“Stations of the Cross (after)”
“Stations of the Cross (after)”
“Stations of the Cross (after)”
“Stations of the Cross (after)”
