Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – The Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre is pleased to present The
Spring Shoreline, the debut solo exhibition by Tanya Markvart, on view from May 27 to June 22
in the Joyner Gallery. An opening reception will be held on Sunday, June 1st, from 2:00 to 4:00
PM, with artist remarks at 2:30 PM.
Residing in the north Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula, Tanya Markvart is a self-taught artist whose
background spans film production and environmental studies, holding degrees from Concordia
University and the University of Waterloo. Her path from film production to environmental
conservation to visual art infuses her work with a unique sensibility— one that blends
storytelling, ecological awareness, and psychological depth.
Inspired by photographs taken during solo walks along the ancient Niagara Escarpment
landscape in the north Bruce Peninsula, The Spring Shoreline features 12 paintings that explore
the interplay between spiritual, emotional, and physical realms. Rock formations of dolostone
and limestone are transformed into abstract compositions - each piece reflecting a concept,
memory, emotion, or state of being drawn from the land and the artist’s inner world.
Working with acrylic ink on birch wood panels, Markvart allows the natural wood grain to
emerge through the medium, bringing texture and vitality to each piece. Compositions are built
from a bird's-eye view perspective, offering viewers space for reflection. Although each painting
is titled to hint at the artist’s interpretation, the abstract style encourages a personal dialogue,
inviting viewers to ask, “What do you see in the shoreline?”
Through colour, form, and suggestion, The Spring Shoreline becomes a mindful moment—a
place to pause, imagine, and connect with both nature and self.