30 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 21, 2006 Artscene Oakville Beaver · WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Contrast of 12 SABRINA BYRNES / OAKVILLE BEAVER WARHOL FANS: CBC Television's Antiques Roadshow host Valerie Pringle visited with Oakville Galleries Director Francine Périnet at the Warhol Gala and Auction fundraiser last Friday. The two are standing in front of Warhol's 1983 Giant Panda screen which immediately greets visitors to the Oakville Gallerieis in Gairloch Gardens. Philanthropist's personal collection on display in Wall to Wall Warhol By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Eccentric artist Andy Warhol and collector and philanthropist Salah Bachir have a lot in common. Both men were and are studies in contrast. They are shy but popular, self-effacing and bold, and clever and curious, according to Oakville Gallery curator of contemporary art, Marnie Fleming. Sixty of Warhol's works from Bachir's personal collection are on display at the Oakville Galleries in Gairloch Gardens, 1306 Lakeshore Rd. E. Wall to Wall Warhol runs from June 23 to Aug. 27. "Warhol was an icon of his time, a poet laureate of American history," said Bachir, who's been collecting his art for 25 years. Perhaps the appeal for Bachir also borders on his entrepreneurial talents. Like Warhol, he is a media genius in his own right. He is president of Cineplex Media, an independent company, which publishes Famous and Premier magazines and sells ads that appear onscreen and in Cineplex theatres. Bachir and curator Fleming have carefully chosen and placed Warhol's artwork along the gallery's walls to demonstrate the wide spectrum of subjects on which Warhol focused, as well as tell the story of his life. The storyline/biography floats from Warhol's obsession with Hollywood's celebrity glitter, to the superhero status of comic book character Superman and boxing great Muhammad Ali, to RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER BUDDING ARTISTS: Grade 12 T. A. Blakelock Art students will be showing their works The Contrast of 12 in the school's Studio Theatre on Friday (9 a.m. - 3 p.m.) and Monday ( 9 a.m. -12 noon). Contrast of 12 features painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media work from this past semester. Pictured here with there art works are (top row, left to right) Michelle Bouffard, David Landry, Damon Greaves, Josh Starkey, (middle row, left to right) Elyse Saunders, Ines Zahirovic, Sylvie McIntosh, (bottom row, left to right) Angela Luedke, Whitney Gibson and Sarah Mason. See Warhol page 31 IMMEDIATE INSTALLATION AVAILABLE & LOOK FOR Make Your Home Comfort More Affordable CENTRAL AIR & FURNACE AND PLUS $ LENNOX SALE ® $ Up to in Government Rebates on 14 Seer Air Conditioner 500 1000 Instant Rebate NO PAYMENT! NO INTEREST! FOR 6 MONTH *OAC NO DUCTS · NO PROBLEM Save $350 on ductless air conditioners * 10 Years Parts & Labour Warranty * SUPER SUMMER SALE! 4 Page Flyer in *call for details $ 3995 /month O.A.C. As Low As 7 locations to serve you better W E S T 905-849-4998 www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665 Today's Paper! * delivered to select homes