'Our Distance Close'

Patti Henderson, Katarina Thorsen

'Glen Dr: a soft-hearted suggestion'

Amber Nordstrand

'Will You Love My Heart?'

Emily van Lidth de Jeude

Take yourself to a moment, a place, a feeling that lives somewhere out of time & yet inside raw emotion - a state full of possibilities. The striking & evocative artwork on display presents us with intimate reflections on the past, the nature of memory & possibilities for the future; inviting us to take a journey into the heart of the artist.

Patti Henderson & Katarina Thorsen have collaborated as artists for over 25 years. Their latest work Recapitulation is a series of intricate mixed media pieces combing photography, stitch, collage, text & painting to create absorbing & layered images. Recapitulation - retelling the main points of a subject - serves as a tool for introspection & growth. Weaving together snippets of memory into cohesive narratives through these ephemeral collages, the artists rewrite their own stories, reshaping old wounds into sources of wisdom & resilience - paving the way for growth & transformation.

Amber Nordstrand 's hauntingly beautiful gouache & acrylic ink paintings of abandoned houses pay tribute to these silent, forgotten witnesses of the past. Her architectural portraiture blurs realism with a painterly touch, honouring the stoicism of all things left behind & documenting their quiet decay, reclaimed by time & nature. Nordstrand's work also highlights the never-ending development, housing inflation, & displacement crisis that lingers over the West Coast. By documenting these liminal spaces on the edge of existence, she hopes to spark discussion of ecological, economical & cultural change. 

Emily van Lidth de Jeude's works on display are concerned with parenting - trauma, growth & hope - through striking, expressive portraiture. Detailed graphite drawings of children are encompassed in swirling masses of colour & texture in oil paint as they strive to grow into themselves; alternately they are delicately rendered on a christening gown surrounded by symbolic chains of generational burdens & hopes. As a parent herself, van Lidth de Jeude explores the roles & impact of parents, as both warnings & beacons of promise.

Opening Reception

Fri. Aug. 2, 5:30 - 7 pm

Join us in celebrating these talented artists & their stunning work. Meet the artists, take in the beautiful artwork & enjoy the company of fellow art lovers.

Artists Talk Livestream

Wed. July 31, 7 pm

Join us for an engaging livestream conversation with the artists as they share insights into their inspirations & process, take a tour of the exhibition & answer questions from viewers live

Eileen Fong

Ronda Green

Barbara Hirano

Gloria O'Neil

Jean Vanderley

Five accomplished artists take inspiration from the earth as a symbol, subject & medium to create dynamic works of art.

Ceramicists Ronda Green, Barbara Hirano & Jean Vanderley craft exquisite nature inspired vessels & sculptures from clay, while painters Eileen Fong & Gloria O'Neil capture breathtaking landscapes in vibrant acrylics.

Grandfather's Medicine,
James Groening

James Groening, aka Blue Sky, is a Burnaby-based Cree artist from the Kahkewistahaw First Nation. Adopted by his white grandparents during the Sixties Scoop, Groening was raised disconnected from his Kahkewistahaw roots. After meeting his family & learning of his heritage, James was inspired to pursue a journey of reclaiming his Indigeneity. 

Groening paints in the Woodland Art style with expressive designs & vibrant colours, depicting stories & legends from his rich cultural heritage.

Led by artistic intuition & legends, Groening's artwork documents his journey of healing & growth, as he attempts to revitalize his cultural identity through art making & knowledge sharing.