With the new year coming, there’s a sense of change and creation in the air. Out with the old and in with the new. A night of incredible art and live music turned out to be exactly what the Ottawa creative scene needed.
On the 7th of January, Club SAW began to fill up with excited friends, family and curious art enjoyers from all around the city. The night that followed would be the first-ever live art show put on by Nick Sommers.
Sommers is an Ottawa-based artist, with a focus on collage-esque abstract art pieces that use striking colour, clippings from other media sources and frenetic writing to convey a number of emotions to the viewer.
“I needed an outlet to sink my energy into,” Sommers said. “One day I stumbled upon some old photo books and combined them with newspaper headlines and some art supplies I had lying around. After putting those first few pieces together I absolutely could not stop. Producing these artworks has truly lit a fire that fuels me in ways that words could never justify.”
The passion for the art that Sommers creates is incredibly clear when he speaks about it or when the art itself is seen.
As the open hall of Club SAW began to fill, the quiet gallery began to come to life with the sounds of laughter, discussion, music and an overwhelming sense of positivity. To the right of the room sat a triptych of art under a warm light; each panel was entirely covered in art pieces ranging from smaller than a sheet of paper to a wooden door covered in Sommers’s signature style.
With an art style that seems thoughtful and clear, I was curious as to the influences that lead Sommers to his current style of art.
“I feel as if I could list off all sorts of artists that make me feel alive,” Sommers said. “The biggest inspirations that directly inform my artwork are the experiences and memories I share with the people in my life who are close to my heart.”
This made sense immediately after witnessing the waves of friends and family who would go on to shower Sommers with support and love for the work he had done and for the event he was throwing. The art on display was a reflection on all of those who had given him the inspiration to create the pieces themselves in a sort of beautiful natural cycle.
As the night went on and more drinks were consumed, it was time for the live entertainment, Ottawa’s very own No Hits. No Hits are an alternative rock band that have been releasing music and performing in the city since 2017.
“I immediately knew I wanted the No Hits to play since Jack [O’Sullivan] and I have been listening to them since high school and he somehow managed to swindle himself into playing with them,” said Sommers.
Within minutes of taking the stage, the entire crowd had turned their attention to the familiar faces and songs coming from the stage and began to dance and sing along to their favourite tunes from the group. After roughly an hour of beer chugging, Ottawa street name-themed songs and plenty of singing, the band gave a quick thank you to the venue itself, the staff who made the night possible, the fans, friends and family in attendance, as well as Nick Sommers himself.
Once the stage cleared and the art began to come down, it was time for a final wave of love and support for Sommers as it was clear that his first art show was a resounding success and would certainly lay the groundwork for many more to come.
“Before I confirmed the date for this exhibition, I was putting together a little photo book including some of my artwork,” Sommers said when asked about future projects. “I had trouble finding a print house that would produce the book in the way that I wanted it. Fortunately, while I was coordinating and working towards this event I picked up a printer that I can produce the book. Hopefully, that will be coming out soon. I’m also toying around with a full-length skate video this summer and of course tons of fun projects along the way!”
So it’s safe to say that fans of Sommers’ work have plenty to look forward to in the coming months.
If anything can be taken from a night such as that one, let it be this; it’s a brand new year, go out and create something beautiful and share it with those you love.