Museum London invited aspiring artists to draw pieces of London’s history in a still-life drawing class Thursday.
The event is part of an ongoing series of classes.
Thursday’s participants used the museum’s historical collection as their inspiration, looking closely at the objects that shape London’s past.
“I think the great thing about these drawing sessions is because we’re exploring these very specific objects,” said Ian Indiano, a London artist and graphic designer and Fanshawe College graduate who led the class. “These are historical objects that are related to London and London’s history.”
Drawing from the Vault: Still Life Sessions (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Museum London)
Indiano said the class is an opportunity for participants to get to know London a little bit better by exploring interesting artifacts.
The sessions are open to everyone, welcoming participants from complete beginners to experienced artists.
Indiano said it does not matter if you draw well or not, and it is for everyone who wants to have a good time and to explore those objects and their own abilities.
He also said the appeal of still-life painting comes from the fact that you are looking at a selection made by an artist.
“There’s many layers. There’s the artist’s gaze, who chooses these objects and places these objects in some sort of arrangement. So that’s already interesting.”
Indiano originally moved to Canada from Brazil with his family just before the pandemic and studied at Fanshawe College.
Artist Ian Indiano (Credit: Emily Kim/XFM News)
“I didn’t choose London specifically, but now it’s the city where I call home and now I have friends and I have people I love here and my career is working out here,” said Indiano.
After graduating from Fanshawe College, he continued his career in the city.
“London also has great institutions like Museum London, like TAP Centre for Creativity where I have my studio, like the London Public Library where I work,” said Indiano.
The drawing session also held meaningful value for the London community, offering a shared space to connect with the city’s history through art.
“Museums are usually places where people think that they’re going to look at art and Museum London is a great place to look at art. But it’s also really nice when you get to make art in a museum,” said Indiano.
Lastly, Indiano offered a piece of advice to those new to still-life painting.
“I think a lot of artists usually get lost imagining what the drawing could be instead of actually doing it. So just do it and allow yourself to get surprised by what you are doing and have fun. Don’t worry too much.”
The next still-life drawing session will be April 30 at Museum London.
