Superglow explores the use of DayGlo inks by Manitoba artists Winston Leathers and Audrey Riller, who worked at the Grand Western Canadian Screen Shop. This vibrant exhibition features five works, highlighting the dynamic potential of fluorescent inks in art.
Leathers' Cosmic Variations (1972) series juxtaposes metallic and non-metallic inks with DayGlo to create ordered, abstract patterns. In contrast, Riller's playful illustrative portraits of women emphasize the expressive qualities of the medium.
During this period, DayGlo colors were widely adopted by marketers seeking to make products visually stand out. Both artists subverted this mainstream aesthetic for creative exploration.
Under regular light, the works convey the unique intentions of each artist: Leathers' precise abstractions resonate with cosmic energy, while Riller’s portraits radiate vitality. Viewed under black light, the colors intensify, magnifying the energy and presence of the works, from the effervescent orderliness of Cosmic Variations to the spirited essence of Riller’s subjects.
