Four new exhibits are set to open at the Reach.
On Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford (32388 Veterans Way) will celebrate the opening of Punjabi Visions; Randall Steeves – Somatic Evidence; Patrick Wood – Opstraction; and Our Communities Our Stories: Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do or Do Without.
Prior to the 7 p.m. opening, join author and award-winning filmmaker Ali Kazimi for an illustrated presentation about of one of the most infamous episodes in Canadian history and the subject of his upcoming book Undesirables: White Canada and The Komagata Maru.
This richly illustrated history showcases rare archival photographs and visual materials. Doors open at 5:15. Event starts at 5:45 p.m.
About the shows:
Punjabi Visions –
This contemporary Punjabi-Sikh exhibition presented by The Reach is in celebration the 100th anniversary of the Khalsa Diwan Society Gur Sikh Temple in Abbotsford.
Punjabi Visions brings together regional, national and international artists who explore the social memories and cultural heritages of the Punjabi/Sikh communities. The artists in this exhibition employ various visual strategies revealing original and unconventional approaches that are characteristic of some of Canada’s most divergent, rising visual artists.
Randall Steeves: Somatic Evidence – Steeves’ thickly painted, scratched and gouged paintings invite the viewer to reconsider the gesture of painting itself. The canvases explore the relationship between the photographic index and the painterly trace with a wry nod towards conceptual art practice. The subject of the canvases is, without exception, the fingerprint.
Patrick Wood: Opstraction – Wood has been investigating the concept of Gestalt, abstraction, mathematics and patterning – all lend themselves to this poignant reference point. From prehistoric to modern times, civilizations have employed repetition and patterns as if conveying a secret language, mathematics or meaning. This investigation of pattern, colour and mathematics were the starting points for this series of paintings, Opstraction.
Our Communities Our Stories: Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do or Do Without – This phrase coined in response to wartime shortages is a sentiment relevant to the contemporary issues of sustainability and conservation, and speaks to the pioneer values of frugality and economy; managing with what was available and maximizing the lifespan of useful objects. This exhibition of permanent collection artifacts demonstrates early successes at re-use, recycling and re-purposing from a need being the “mother of invention” perspective including Tramp Art created from cigar boxes in contravention of federal excise laws, and pioneer Mennonite craftsmanship and expertise at making and remaking quilts.