avy loftus

Batik and shibori on linen, silk, and cotton.

Avy Loftus is a Montreal-based visual artist and batik designer. As a visual artist, Avy has held a number of collective and solo exhibitions in Canada, the US, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Bulgaria and Bermuda. She received awards for her artwork and, in 2013, she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her artistic and community contributions. Her artwork has been sold in Canada, the United States, Ireland, Indonesia and Bermuda.
As a batik designer, she has conducted batik workshops at Harbour Front, Toronto, the Canadian Museum of Civilization (now: Canadian Museum of History), the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Musée des maîtres et artisans du Québec, Marsil Museum, Annual Tulip Festival, Major Park in Ottawa, Middfest International in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chicago Children’s Museum, Textile museum in Jakarta, Indonesia, the Indonesian Embassy and the International Children’s Festival in Washington, DC, the Summer Children’s Festival in Ireland and other private institutions.
Currently, Avy is the President of the Asian Canadian Women Artists, the Director of Peace, Love and Hope for kids and an art educator at MMFA and at MELS (Culture in School program). She is a member of the following organisations; English Language Arts Network (ELAN), National Art Education Association (NAEA), The Textile Society of America (TSA), Women’s Art Society of Montreal (WASM), The Canada-Indonesia Chamber of Commerce (CICC), and The Irish Protestant Benevolent Society (IPBS).
Avy holds a B.A. in Education, a B.A. in Language and Art and a Diploma in Public Relations. She is finishing her Master’s in Art Education at Faculty of Fine Arts, Concordia University this summer. 

Sakura (Batik and shibori on Linen – a kimono)
Sakura (cherry blossoms) represents the enduring expression of life, death and renewal. The narration of cherry blossoms is a timeless metaphor for human existence; blooming season is so glorious, enchanting and intoxicating, but tragically short-lived — a visual reminder that our lives, too, are fleeting. I transformed this sakura painting into wearable art – a kimono.   
Two Masks (Batik on Silk)
Any immigrant who comes to Canada has two identities; when he/she becomes Canadian, he/she also has another identity (his/her origin- Asian/African/European/ Australian, etc).This artwork reflects the social fabric identity and shows the two identities a person has – one relating to his/her country of origin and the other mask representing the new country of arrival. As Joseph O’Neill said “One of the great pluses of being an immigrant is you get to start again in terms of your identity. You get to shed the narratives which cling to you.”
Intertwined (Batik on cotton)
Coming from a multi-cultural background, my artistic life involves the intertwining of diverse cultural existences, however, it is still rooted in Asian traditions and practices. The indigo colour represents integrity and deep sincerity. It also reflects great devotion, wisdom and justice along with fairness and impartiality. The red flowers symbolise passion, respect, and courage.
Pendawa - Friendships beyond borders (batik on silk)
I use this interpretation of the mythological epic Mahabharata to celebrate friendships beyond borders, celebrating sixty years of Indonesian-Canadian Diplomatic Relations. Both countries believe in unity in diversity and it is one of the values that bring people together in the midst of adversity. This concept of unity in diversity is also used by the Indigenous peoples in N. America.