Zsofin

Art Island: S2E09: Persimmon Blackbridge - Sculptor

For over 45 years, Persimmon Blackbridge has been a trailblazing sculptor, writer, curator, and performer. Her contributions to queer art began with Still Sane (1984), a collaboration exploring the psychiatric incarceration of lesbians, and continued with her work in the 1990s as part of the lesbian art collective Kiss & Tell. Their projects, including Drawing the Line and True Inversions, challenged censorship and reshaped feminist discourse. A pioneer in disability arts, Blackbridge’s Sunnybrook: A True Story with Lies examined abuse in the Woodlands Institution and won the Ferro-Grumley Prize. In 1998, her collaboration with former Woodlands inmates on From the Inside/Out helped secure reparations for survivors. Later, her exhibit Constructed Identities reframed disability as central to, not separate from, human experience. Blackbridge’s art consistently challenges societal norms, addressing oppression, identity, and institutional abuse and recently, the impacts of climate change on us all.

Art Island: S2E08: Graham Herbert - Artist

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Graham Herbert is inspired by a childhood immersed in sailing and art. After moving to the West Coast in his twenties, he studied at Emily Carr College of Art and Victoria College of Art, developing a style rooted in bold compositions and the interplay of land, sea, and sky. Herbert’s paintings in acrylic and watercolour range from evocative seascapes to whimsical, imaginative scenes featuring colorful reflections, playful architecture, and classic boats. He is also a prolific builder of full-sized and model seacraft. Based on Hornby Island, Herbert creates from a studio surrounded by forest. His work has been exhibited in major galleries including the Victoria Public Art Gallery, is collected internationally, and is available through private sales and fine art prints. Herbert’s art continues to reflect his connection to the beauty and spirit of the West Coast.

Art Island: S2E07: Ann Newdigate - Artist

Ann Newdigate (1934–2023) was an internationally acclaimed artist, educator, and writer known for her pioneering contributions to contemporary textile art. Born in Grahamstown, South Africa, she earned degrees in African Studies and English Literature (University of Cape Town, 1964), as well as a BFA (1976) and MFA (1988) from the University of Saskatchewan. A postgraduate year at Edinburgh College of Art (1980–81) deepened her expertise in tapestry, a medium she elevated into a recognized form of expressive contemporary art. Newdigate’s practice explored codes of value and authority through manual, textile, and digital processes. Her work, including her signature medieval-style tapestry alphabet and digital outputs, have been exhibited in venues across Canada, the USA, Europe, and Australia. She represented Canada at the 1994 Lodz Tapestry Biennial in Poland, and her works are held in collections such as the Canada Council Art Bank and the Saskatchewan Arts Board. Ann and her family began visiting Hornby Island in the 1970's, and moved to the island full-time in 1999.

Art Island: S2E06: Tessa Mythos - Painter

Tessa Mythos is a visual artist from Victoria and Hornby Island B.C. Canada.  Deeply inspired by the wild and natural beauty of the west coast, Tessa creates visionary and mythically inspired paintings exploring the interconnectivity of Humanity, Nature and the Divine. In her practice, art acts as as a sacred bridge in the connection between mind and heart, imagination and intuition that can help heal in the personal and collective psyche and express the transcendental experience. Tessa exhibits her work internationally while continuing to show and work on Hornby Island B.C.

Art Island: S2E05: Rochelle Chinnery - Ceramic Artist

Rochelle Chinnery has had an independent studio practice for over 30 years. After training with potters in Japan for four years, she pursued formal ceramics studies at Sheridan and Emily Carr Universities. She has received early support from the Canada Council and BC Arts Council, with solo exhibitions at Surrey, Richmond, Campbell River, BC Craft Council, and Ian Tan Art Galleries. Her work has been exhibited internationally, held in collections across Australia, Korea, Croatia, Italy, and Japan, and she was awarded the 2007 BC Achievement for Applied Art & Design. Recently, Rochelle has expanded her practice to include textiles, embroidery, and photography. She holds a Master’s in Integrated Studies, where she explored the role of a material arts practice in developing ecological identity and connectedness. 

Art Island: S2E04 Bob Cain - Photographer

Born in Vancouver, B.C. in 1944, Robert (Bob) Cain began his photography career with managing Focus Prints, a professional photography business in Vancouver from 1965 to 1970. In 1972, he relocated to Hornby Island where he continued his photography practice, creating work which has been exhibiting since the 1970s and published in numerous books and magazines. While his expertise spans architectural, advertising, product, and studio photography, his true passion lies in documentary and fine art. Over nearly five decades, he has documented the lives, activities, and transformations of his fellow Hornby Islanders. 

Art Island: S2E03 Anne Ngan - Painter

Anne Ngan, born in 1939 in Sallanches, France, studied at the School of Beaux Arts in Marseille, after which she moved to Paris in 1961, exploring architecture and modern dance. Anne apprenticed in theatre design from 1962 to 1966 and later travelled to Vancouver, contributing to theatre costume design and joining a dance group. Returning to Canada in 1968, she embraced the back-to-the-land movement by weaving, gardening, and raising her daughters on Hornby Island. Fully committing to painting in 1979, Anne has since gained recognition, with a retrospective at the Surrey Art Gallery in 1984. Her exhibitions have spanned Hornby Island, Victoria, Vancouver, Paris, and Marseille. In 2018, she participated in a dance tribute to the avant-garde dance scene of the 1970s in Vancouver.

Art Island: S2E02 Michael McNamara - Designer & Builder

Season 2 of ART ISLAND continues with the visionary Michael McNamara, co-founder of Blue Sky Design, at his Hornby Island studio. Filmmaker Zsofin Sheehy explores Michael's 50-year journey of integrating design and building, creating spaces with a deep spiritual connection to the landscape and community. Michael shares his experiences and insights into responsive architecture and the collaborative nature of his work.

Art Island: S2E01 Susan Crowe - Potter

Season 2 of ART ISLAND opens with legendary Susan Crowe in her studio, Cannon Road Pottery. Filmmaker Zsofin Sheehy follows Susan through her home and 40-year pottery practice on Hornby Island. A self-professed "compulsive maker," Susan shares her process as a producer, how she motivates herself and keeps herself open to new ideas, techniques, and products. Above all, the life of friendship and family she has built in partnership with her creative practice provides an endless source of love, inspiration, and support.

Art Island: S1E10 Vass Éva Rozsa - Artist

In Episode 10 of Art Island, Season 1, filmmaker Zsofin Sheehy sits down with Vass Éva Rozsa, a one-of-a-kind artist who makes anything, and everything, she sets her mind to. Through her studio, garden, and the bounty of inspiration on Hornby Island, we follow Éva and learn more about her life and the fearless way she approaches making. From jewellery and hats to drawing, painting, and clay sculpture, Éva shows that an art practice is one of continual learning, cross-pollinating ideas and methods, and trusting one's inner vision.

Art Island: S1E09 Tom Knott - Artist

In Episode 9 of Art Island, filmmaker Zsofin Sheehy finds sculptor Tom Knott nestled in the heart of Hornby Island's forests on Mount Geoffrey, where he lives and works. Tom's practice is an ongoing search for deep meaning and wider connection through his welded kinetic steel sculptures, which manage to combine mathematics and lyricism all at once. In this interview he imparts a lifetime of wisdom honed by years of spiritual exploration, inner work, and listening to trees. Through his carefully spiralling meditations, Tom's work shows that "not all who wander are lost" when material meets metaphysical ideas beyond the space of language.

Art Island: S1E08 Elaine Savoie - Painter, Market Gardener

In Episode 8 of Art Island, filmmaker Zsofin Sheehy meets painter Elaine Savoie on her Hornby Island homestead and Studio. An unapologetic iconoclast, Elaine uses her painting practice to question the norms of her Catholic upbringing and human-centred society. The conversation follows Elaine's life of making, raised by the community of island artists and shaped by her process, connection to the land she stewards, and using art as a tool to play and explore oneself. In addition to her creative practice in painting and drawing, Elaine also uses writing and poetry to humorously and fearlessly delve into the intricacies of island life and reflect on her Metis heritage, interweaving themes of personal identity and the complexities of intergenerational processing.

Art Island: S1E07 Gordon Payne - Artist

In Episode 7 of Art Island, filmmaker Zsofin Sheehy enters enriching world of artist Gordon Payne in his Downes Point studio. Through his monk-like painting process, experimental sculptures, and never ending journey into the philosophy and criticism of art, Gordon shares how he has developed a practice of acting as a channel for the expression of artistic thinkers through time. The conversation explores the essence of artistic commitment by the ways in which Gordon diligently shows up every day, weaving his practice into the fabric of his life. Chock full of wisdom to overcome creative blocks, finding one's authentic voice, and the purpose of art in today's world, Gordon offers wry encouragement to all those who struggle in their artistic pursuits.

Art Island: S1E06 Alpen Kelley - Painter, Printmaker, Jeweller

In Episode 6 of ART ISLAND, filmmaker Zsofin Sheehy brings viewers into the intimate studio of Alpen Kelley, whose life has been dedicated to the pursuit of artistic expression. Kelley, a seasoned painter, printmaker, and jeweller, shares her struggles, but also pragmatic view of being an artist: a process of continuous and enthusiastic learning. We are guided through the rich tapestry of Kelley's artistic process, witnessing her distinct expressive style through the variety of media she has mastered through her lifetime.

Art Island: S1E05 Tony Wilson - Musician, Composer, Writer

In Episode 5 of ART ISLAND, Zsofin Sheehy joins jazz composer Tony Wilson in his Hornby Island studio, where the seeds of Tony's musical journeys are sown and cultivated. Tony shares both the joy, challenges, and drive behind his singular career and the expressive, often improvised compositions that earned him respect as one of the foremost jazz composers and musicians in Canada. But Tony's music is not only what makes his story exceptional. He candidly shares his life experiences of homelessness and addiction, and how he has used his art for creating dialogue about urgent social justice issues. Tony's humble recollection of his life, work and current projects carries wisdom for any viewer striving to realize their creative dreams.

Art Island: S1E04 Michelle Nyberg - Painter

In Episode 4 of ART ISLAND, Zsofin Sheehy joins painter Michelle Nyberg in a few of her favourite places around the island– her outdoor studio, the Sandpiper shoreline, and the Hornby Community Hall. In parallel, we are taken on a journey through Michelle's creative career, one in which she has honed her creative process of absorbing the beautiful details of the world and translating them into paintings characterized by striking movement, colour and whimsy. Michelle credits much of her artistic development to living on Hornby Island, which has opened up opportunities for her to immerse herself in nature, tune into her intuition, and connect with a wide variety of viewers and appreciators through her work.

Art Island: S1E03 Moragh Eilish - Mixed Media Artist

In Episode 3 of Art Island, we meet Moragh Eilish at her Hornby Island homestead. Working in drawing, painting, and as a tattoo artist, Moragh shares how her creative upbringing, engagement in artistic countercultures and the inspiration of alternative living models have led to a life of artistic pursuit and community-seeking through her practice.

Art Island: S1E02 Tom Burrows - Sculptor

In Episode 2 of Art Island, we meet artist Tom Burrows in his handmade Downes Point home. Tom’s practice – which over 50 years has encompassed poly-resin colour fields, abstract sculpture, and designing and building unconventional dwellings – has become canon in Canadian art. He shares insights into his storied career and the legacy of 1970's counterculture on both his own work and society today. Tom's humble admiration for the artist Eva Hesse, continuing connection to contemporary art through his assistant Yasmine Whaley-Kalaora, and the fundamental tenet that ideas can be carried timelessly, can all be found in his own work and life today: striving for the freedom to live, and the freedom to build.

Art Island: S1E01 Alina Milek - Flower Farmer, Florist, & Jeweller

Step into the garden and studio of florist, jeweller and flower farmer Alina Milek, whose flower growing and arranging practice is, foremost, about sharing natural beauty with both neighbours and visitors to Hornby Island. Through designing flower arrangements, Alina found her connection to making and artistic practice. She also shares her fine jewellery work, which serves as a more “permanent” balance to her impermanent flower designs. A Hornby Island native, Alina is heartened by the way her creative practice connects her to people. In this interview she explores the significance of how she can give back to her community through leading a creative life.