Terry Nurmi’s work has been described as lively and free, strong and sensitive with nothing gratuitous, but also often full of complex moods of nostalgia and loss. She infuses her work with family history and genetic or environmental identities or inheritance.
The image above is one of a series of 8” square cyanotypes entitled Blueprints II, consisting of 14 images commemorating her twin sister. It is a deeply emotional, conceptual work that sets out to explore her feelings directly. Images are composed of tokens, relics and intimate remembrances of things shared. They seem to be gathered in, codified and nostalgically catalogued, bringing about a strong sense of loss – a still and beautiful archive.
Terry Nurmi studied at Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in the early 90s and has been exhibiting her work since 1993.
From the artist statement for about face an exhibition held at Fort Gallery in Fort Langley, BC, August 2009:
“I woke up and went to the bags that held her things…just to smell them. The wonderful aroma of her was dissipating. I wondered how many more smells I would have before she was gone.
“about face” is an exhibition that refers to chance. To the shift of identity that happens to all who experience the loss of a friend or family member. This shift requires change. The two are interwoven.
The phrase “about face” is ambiguous. For me, the work entitled, “Blueprint II” refers to my own shift of identity through the loss of my twin sister. In working towards this exhibit, I at first attempted to paint images from her things. But soon realized that previous bodies of photographic work, inadvertently referring to our relationship, were also beckoning for closure.”
Nygren and Nurmi, ars longa; vita brevis, blog article by Kristin Krimmel, August 9, 2009, https://artiseternal.wordpress.com/tag/terry-nurmi/.
For all you deep art divers out there.
Artist’s 1997 exhibition at UNIT/PITT Society for Art and Critical Awareness: BC Industrial School for Girls…In Memorium
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