About
The Artists at Cruickston Park
Wilks Chaplin
The artwork displayed at Cruickston Park is true to theme:  Its bold, yet subtle; powerful, yet elegant; organic, yet contemporary.  The art is the genesis of Wilks Chaplin who was born on the property, raised and nurtured by it, evolved with it.  In some ways Wilks is an extension of the property, and, in turn, so is her art.Â
So what is the curb appeal to Wilks’ art?  Well, it seems to resonate with the art crowd in Paris, France.  Wilks was invited to hang three of her works at the Louvre which now hang in the Stables.  (It was a venue that was situated at the top of the art food chain; a place where one had to earn the privilege to view the artwork inside by standing in an hour-long cue.) The sea of visitors crowded her booth in waves during that exhibition, likely because her art’s simplicity drew people in.  Unlike her neighbours, Wilks doesn’t appeal to the outrageous to attract attention.  Rather she does the opposite.  Like the property, she expresses layers of calm.  Her finishes are calm, too. She chose to display but three large pieces, all framed in milled black wood, detailed with a brass plate, centered under a brass light.  Wilks’ art emitted her personality: Classic. Clean. Intentional.  Unusual for such an event.
Wilks’ popularity at the Louvre got her another extraordinary invitation.  This time to New York City which included her name featured in bold at Times Square for a week.  It, too, was an impressive event, more international in scope, which earned her further invitations from major European cities - and so on.
Closer to home, Wilks’ art is routinely licked up by art dealers, developers, and those paying close attention.
Her art is an expression of both Wilks’ inner self and the property in which she has always lived.  To regard her work is to realize she flirts beyond convention by various means, such as rolling the image off the frame, by charring edges, by using or mimicking organic materials, by playing with shades, by incorporating the frame into the work, by interacting with her canvass, and by listening to her heart.  She knows when a work is complete when it comes into balance. To look at Wilks’ work is to glance upon her soul, clearly accessing wisdom’s depth. Beyond which one can glimpse the soul of Cruickston Park.
Hinson Chaplin
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