Cross Cut by Rob Niezen

Exhibition of a series of linocuts reflecting on traditional songs from Ontario with a contemporary perspective by Rob Niezen.

Traditional music came to Ontario with European settlers. Lyrics and tunes were adapted to local experiences and the personal preferences of the players, which offer a reflection of society at different moments in history.

The underlying themes are of a timeless nature, as they deal with human existence: love, deception, politics, war, immigration, work, leisure, murder, death, etc. Folk songs make global issues accessible to everyone, as they are created and sung by real people telling real human stories.

Cross Cut invites viewers to reflect on the lives of Canadians from the past and today; superficially things have changed, but the human conditions for people now are not that different from 100 or 200 years ago. Rob Niezen's linocuts use both the traditional method of carving the material, and contemporary and experimental ways of mark making, including laser engraving and etching.

Cross Cut is a multi media project that also includes a songbook with linocut illustrations and a music album. The Cross Cut book covers a selection of song lyrics, their history and basic chord progressions. Historian and musician Dr. Allan Kirby and Rob Niezen are co-producers of the book. Traditional music group Backwoodsmen created contemporary arrangements for the songs, and recorded a double CD with twenty-three songs.

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rob@robniezen.com