Di Decaire’s paintings, some of which study Salvador Dali, will be on display until Dec. 7.

As a child, Di Decaire’s speech impediment made it difficult for her to communicate. Drawing became the best way she could express herself.

She attended speech therapy for 13 years.

“Speech has always been difficult for me,” Decaire said. “Drawing was the main way of talking for me for a while. If I could not find a word I would draw it out.”

Now, the current bachelor of fine arts student at the University of Saskatchewan is getting ready to showcase her acrylic paintings at the SCYAP art centre and gallery. The exhibit, Why… Eye Spy, features nearly 30 surrealist and realist paintings.

The newest paintings in Decaire’s show add a personal touch to her exhibit.

“Eyes have been and still are so important for me as I see them as the opening to who another person truly is,” Decaire said. “People have always said I have great eye contact, but in reality I’m actually [trying to see] what they are saying to me and others.”

Images of eyes and metamorphosis are prominent in Decaire’s show. Her works deal with personal perception, mental health and transformation.

“[I liked] the idea of playing with the eyes and how the mind can be tricked doing some simple things, with the feel of surrealism,” Decaire said.

Influences of Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte can be seen in Decaire’s exhibit. Many of her paintings feature images of clocks, butterflies and nature scenes. One of her favourites, “Autumn,” is a pointillist — a technique in which dots are used to create one cohesive image — piece that takes a look down a long road, reminiscent of Saskatoon’s own Spadina Crescent.

While many of the paintings in Why… Eye Spy were completed between now and this past summer, Decaire has been working on some since 2008 when she was first introduced to SCYAP.

She was a participant in the centre’s Urban Canvas Project that year.

The Urban Canvas Project is a work-readiness program for at-risk youth. SCYAP employs 12 new participants between the ages of 16 and 30 each year. Participants build a public art portfolio while learning and working with other artists in the community. To qualify for the program one must be unemployed, ineligible for employment insurance and not in school.

The project is now taking applicants for its 11th cycle.

Why… Eye Spy will be showing at SCYAP until Dec. 7. The reception will take place on Nov. 16 from 7-10 p.m.

—
Photo: Jenna Mann/The Sheaf