Colouring ‘da Rock: Scenes from Newfoundland
Art Exhibition by Liv Valmestad
St John’s College invites you to explore Colouring ‘da Rock, a solo exhibition by Liv Valmestad, an Art Librarian and Senior Fellow at St John’s College. This exhibition will be on display in the Quiet Room, room 111 St John’s College, from September 22 to December 24, 2025. It is open to public viewing on Mondays to Fridays, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and will have an opening on Thursday, October 23rd from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Valmestad’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in an intimate engagement with nature, shaped by personal history and philosophical reflection. From the sweeping expanses of the Prairies to the elemental terrains of Norway, Iceland, and Newfoundland, Valmestad seeks out open vistas as emotional and contemplative spaces. Her paintings probe the interplay of light, spatial tension, and atmosphere (Stemning), drawing on the aesthetics of the Sublime to evoke awe, unease, and introspection.
For Valmestad, Nature is not merely a subject but a force. Its rawness and immensity serve as a catalyst for emotional resonance and a profound sense of place. Artist residencies in Iceland (Iceland Up Close, UM Today) and Newfoundland have furthered this inquiry, offering her access to coastal landscapes that mirror the rugged spirit of northern geographies. These experiences continue to shape her visual language and deepen her exploration of space and water.
In this latest series, Liv Valmestad explores the raw beauty of Newfoundland’s Atlantic coast, continuing her inquiry into Nature’s emotional and spatial presence. Influenced by the aesthetics of the Sublime, her paintings evoke both awe and unease, capturing the elemental force of coastal landscapes.
Inspired by her residency at Bareneed Studios on the traditional territories of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu, and Inuit, Valmestad reflects on our deep ecological connection to place. Fishing nets appear as abstracted forms, symbolizing human impact and the enduring rhythms of coastal life. Guided by Deep Ecology, her work calls for reverence toward Nature and a renewed awareness of our place within it.
Beyond her studio practice, Liv Valmestad currently serves as the second Canadian President of the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA), a leading international organization representing over 1,000 art information professionals across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Founded in 1972, ARLIS/NA includes Canadian founding member Peter Anthony, then Head Librarian of the Architecture/Fine Arts Library at the University of Manitoba.
Visitors of St John’s College are encouraged to stop by the Quiet Room to experience this powerful body of work.