September Art Feature
Abandon, Phil Goldsmith
ABOUT THE PRINT
An icon of Port Hope and a rare glimpse inside.
This is the former Nicholson File Factory on the banks of the Ganaraska River. It is now little more than an abandoned three-acre industrial site but it was once a sturdy pillar of local business.
There had been much talk about what to do with the eight buildings that make up the complex, which is - in part - why architect Phil Goldsmith got to tour the bones.
He made this linocut before these walls fell and the dry, loose timber burned to ash. A recent fire reduced much of the area to piles of charred brick. Any hope of converting the site for community use is now gone. Still, the ghosts of these buildings do provide.
Phil’s print reminds us of what a gem this site was and could have been. There is beauty in loss and destruction.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Phil Goldsmith has been an architect for almost 50 years but now enjoys the title of semi-retired. That roughly translates to Phil carving out time for other interests like watercolour painting and linocuts.
Making reduction linocuts is not for the skittish creator. It takes patience, foresight and precision. Phil’s left brain and right brain are uniquely coded for this type of work. His mastery of lines, perspective and detail is obvious in his designs. He can transcribe quiet beauty to paper or challenge himself with something more jagged and gritty. Either way it’s meticulousness and artistry as one.
Phil took up printmaking again in 2020 after a 42-year hiatus. He makes prints on a vintage cast iron mangle clothes wringer that he converted for this new calling. He has printed more than 20 series of limited edition prints that he displays at Ganaraska Art & Framing.
ABOUT GANARASKA ART & FRAMING
You’d never think that a humble framing business could be a hub for community connections. But then you’d be underestimating this area’s knowledge and love of art.
Ganaraska Art and Framing offers custom framing and a boutique art gallery. Our goal is to connect people with beautiful and challenging local art. From a customer perspective, it’s a place for inspiration. From an artist perspective, it’s a place for inspiration.
We feature paintings, prints, photos and sculpture in a rotating collection of work that ranges from subtle and beautiful to boisterous and energizing.
Ganaraska Art & Framing has also served as a gathering place for artists, musicians and appreciators. We have partnered with Critical Mass, Cultivate and Port Hope Arts Festival to host events and concerts.
And there’s more to come: we have a number of solo and group shows planned for fall 2024 as well as winter and spring 2025.
