Heather Spears - Exhibitions of Courtroom Drawings

COURTROOM DRAWINGS

The human stories portrayed in certain trials may unveil underlying changes in our society. Only time will show if they are forerunners or isolated events. Heather Spears works as a courtroom artist when a case interests and moves her, and the drawings provide an in-depth record which is sensitive, accurate and comprehensive.

The Reena Virk Trials: 56 of 500 drawings, 8½x11". In which 6 girls were accused of swarming (criminally assaulting) schoolmate 14-year-old Reena, and two, a boy and a girl, of subsequently drowning her. Exhibited at the Community Arts Council Gallery, Victoria, June 29-July 12, 2000, and in Toronto, June 2002. Presentation available for high schools, conferences, library and community events. Her book of the trials, published by Wolsak and Wynn, Toronto, is Required Reading:a witness in words and drawings to the Reena Virk Trials, 1998-2000.

"The most powerful exhibition I've seen – very strong evidence of why a culture needs art, to help us see where we are and where we have been." Ruth Nicholl

"This exhibit is history." Paul Skrivener, Curatorial Chair, Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria