North Hatley artist brings Pandemonium online
Kevin Whitaker’s sixth art exhibition, titled Pandemonium, will launch on Thursday, Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. via Zoom. A sale of his work, with proceeds going towards Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Disease supports and research, will take place after the launch through the artist’s website.
The Record first met Whitaker at his cottage in North Hatley in 2018 as he was preparing for an exhibition at the Gillygooly Gallery in Hatley Township.
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia in 2016, the Superior Court Judge turned to painting as a way to explore his creativity while at the same time raising money for the two diseases.
At the time, Whitaker was relatively new to the art world prepping for his second show.
Now readying his sixth exhibition, Whitaker is an accomplished artist, having raised over $125,000 for research and supports for Parkinson’s and LBD.
On his website, Whitaker explains how the diseases he lives with, “have given me a layered perspective on how my brain and body work both together and against each other. I hope my paintings capture this tension.”
Over 100 people have signed up for the virtual vernissage so far, according to Whitaker’s wife Marie Moliner.
“We’ve got a tech rehearsal in a few hours,” she said, trying to work out the kinks of Zoom art exhibition.
The event, free to attend, will include a one-minute video interview with Whitaker about his life and his art as well as a pan of the paintings included in the show, which are hung in a Toronto gallery.
If Whitaker is up to it, there will also be a Q&A with the artist, Moliner said.
Following the online vernissage, which will last less than half an hour,
Moliner said participants are welcome to make their way to Whitaker’s artist website to see the full gallery of work included in the show, all of which is for sale.
The Zoom URL and additional information on Whitaker and his work are available on his website https://www.kevinwhitaker.art.