The Gold Lady is Taking On Basel!

June 6, 2012 - PRLog -- At the recent Art Dubai she shared a glass of celebratory Champagne with a local art dealer over the sale of two of her large paintings, but not before dropping a few pieces of gold leaf in each glass, explaining that "it's good for arthritis," then taking a sip.

In Basel the Toronto and Dubai-based artist just heard a maître d’hôtel demand a table be secured as quickly as possible for The Gold Lady.

McGivern, whose signature style and technique do something very unique with the precious metals on her canvases, probably deserves the moniker. Equal parts Metaphysics and alchemy, her work vibrates with a barely restrained energy.

Her work is recognised and renowned for its notable richness of colour and vibrant contrasts, a result of evocative choices of colour and her trademark use of gold and platinum leaf, supplied in generous amounts by Eytzinger Gold of Germany.
 
“ I paint over it, drip paint on it and sometimes cover it up completely because I did not like the painting and start over...there are many paintings out there with layers of gold under them...but you cannot melt the gold down as it is so fine and wafer thin....but I could never use anything else but real gold. "

Gold is so much a part of Barbara’s oeuvre that several of her favourite establishments on her world travels serve a cocktail christened the Lady“B” – comprised of a flute of Champagne and chips of edible gold leaf. Dubai’s venerable Rib Room is also set to produce a rare honour – Barbara McGivern cutlery.

Barbara McGivern’s work can be found in galleries internationally, including Edmonton’s Lando Gallery and at Art Basel 2012.