Joyce Effinger, a self-taught visual artist based in Corbeil, Ontario, opens her solo exhibition "Anyflatsurface" at the Alex Dufresne Gallery on May 9. The show features paintings on unconventional surfaces such as paddles, saws, rocks, cloth, and found objects, transforming everyday items marked by use and history into vibrant studies of color, form, and place. Effinger, who came to painting later in life, draws inspiration from northern Ontario's landscapes and heritage, as well as poetry and personal reflection.
The exhibition matters because it challenges traditional notions of painting surfaces and encourages viewers to find beauty and meaning in ordinary, utilitarian objects. By presenting art on materials that once served practical purposes—moving through lakes or shaping forests—Effinger creates a dialogue between image and object that invites close looking and emotional connection. The show also highlights the growing presence of self-taught artists in regional galleries and underscores the vitality of community-based arts initiatives in northern Ontario.