Art Exhibits at ICS

Maria Gabankova: The Body Broken

An exhibition of paintings at the Insitute for Christian Studies
Feburary 1 - March 17, 2005 - Extended to March 31, 2005

A selection of Maria Gabankova's paintings from 1995-2005, which highlights the human body as shown in its isolation, fragmentation and decay. All these serve as a metaphor for the brokenness of the human condition, yet underneath--and in between--Maria's theatrical display of life's incongruities, there are also glimpses of the wonder of the body redeemed.

About the Artist

Maria Gabankova has exhibited extensively in Canada, the US and internationally. Recent shows include 6981 km from Toronto in Bratislava, Slovakia and in Loop Gallery, Toronto. In the spring 2005 she will participate in a group exhibition of Canadian artists in Prague, Czech Republic.

Maria has received several awards and her work is represented in private and public art collections in Canada and abroad.She studied drawing, painting and printmaking at University of British Columbia, the Vancouver School of Art, Montreal School of Art and Design, and the Art Students League of New York.

The central themes in her work encompass realist figurative representation with conceptual emphasis on the spiritual and Biblical. Portraiture also holds a special focus with an impressive record of commissioned portraits.

Maria Gabankova lives with her husband Ales Brezina in Toronto. She is an associate professor at the Ontario College of Art & Design, and a member of several artists organizations and initiatives. She has been invited to serve on juries, panel discussions, conferences and work in film and theatre.

For more information on Maria Gabankova, visit her website at www.paintinggalllery.net