JORDYN STEWART
The Rusty Toque | Issue 10 | Visual Art | June 30, 2016
Compulsory Figure
Digital Video
2016
Compulsory Figure is a performance for video that takes place on a series of ponds that sit along the Niagara escarpment. The work takes its title from a skating term defined as the carving of specific patterns or figures onto the ice by the skater’s blade. These marks made on the ice surface were the original purpose of the sport. The piece follows the artist, Jordyn Stewart, as she assumes the role of a figure skater and seeks out untouched icy surfaces to perform upon. The skater shovels her own personal rink, performs upon it, and then heads out in search of her next location. An individual rink, the dimensions of the skater’s height, is left to exist in the landscape. The figure skater traverses through rough terrain, sharpens her skates, and prepares the ice surface. The video documents multiple perspectives of the figure skater as she prepares to execute her routine.
Digital Video
2016
Compulsory Figure is a performance for video that takes place on a series of ponds that sit along the Niagara escarpment. The work takes its title from a skating term defined as the carving of specific patterns or figures onto the ice by the skater’s blade. These marks made on the ice surface were the original purpose of the sport. The piece follows the artist, Jordyn Stewart, as she assumes the role of a figure skater and seeks out untouched icy surfaces to perform upon. The skater shovels her own personal rink, performs upon it, and then heads out in search of her next location. An individual rink, the dimensions of the skater’s height, is left to exist in the landscape. The figure skater traverses through rough terrain, sharpens her skates, and prepares the ice surface. The video documents multiple perspectives of the figure skater as she prepares to execute her routine.
JORDYN STEWART is an emerging artist from the Niagara Region. Coming from a small town, she adopts child-like fascinations and curiosities from her upbringing. Her practice is inspired by her relationship with developing urban environments, while investigating the materials found within these spaces in search for the familiar. Working predominantly in video and performance she creates site-sensitive performances.
Stewart recently received her BA, Specialist in Art and Art History at University of Toronto, joint program with Sheridan College. She has most recently exhibited works in Video Fever 2015, at Trinity Square Video, as well as, Horizon Line at The Blackwood Gallery. Stewart completed the Emerging Artist Research Residency at University of Windsor this past May. In Fall 2016 she will be exhibiting in Figure in the Landscape, at Hamilton Artists Inc., Hamilton ON. Website: jordynstewart.ca
Stewart recently received her BA, Specialist in Art and Art History at University of Toronto, joint program with Sheridan College. She has most recently exhibited works in Video Fever 2015, at Trinity Square Video, as well as, Horizon Line at The Blackwood Gallery. Stewart completed the Emerging Artist Research Residency at University of Windsor this past May. In Fall 2016 she will be exhibiting in Figure in the Landscape, at Hamilton Artists Inc., Hamilton ON. Website: jordynstewart.ca
