Encounters: Annual Members’ Exhibition
to
Kelowna Art Gallery 1315 Water St, Kelowna, British Columbia V1Y 9R3
Patty Leinemann, "Mom and Dad," nd
metal and inherited leather belts
Ninety local artists answered the call to celebrate the art of portraiture for this year’s annual members’ exhibition at the Kelowna Art Gallery. The group show is entitled Encounters and submissions in a wide variety of media were welcomed, including painting, sculpture, drawing, photography, mixed media, and digital media.
“Portraiture provides us with an opportunity to observe humanity,” says Hanss Lujan, Membership Coordinator and the exhibition’s organizer. “Whether participating artists chose to reflect on themselves, examine someone else in their life, or take a more abstract approach, the resulting portraits say something about who they are.”
The works range dramatically throughout the space. One piece by Patty Leinemann appears to be the metal frames from a pair of different sized suitcases. Entitled Mom & Dad, the work is a consideration of the artist’s parents and their immigration experience.
Another example by Cheryl Arnouse was composed using a variety of different coffees and teas which she dripped on to paper to create a portrait she calls Perspective on Homelessness, over Coffee & Tea. Arnouse chose to create a portrait of a man she met through the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Centre. His compelling story and hardships resonated strongly with her and the resulting work is a tribute to his courage and strength.
“It is our hope that this collection of work by artists examining portraiture will help to form a sense of connection and empathy within the space and beyond,” says Lujan. “Our intention is for visitors to be able to see these connections and feel them as well.”
The exhibition is on view in the Gallery’s Front project space from December 2, 2017 to February 3, 2018. This exhibition space is free and open to the public during Gallery hours of operation.
A digital publication will be produced to accompany Encounters with images of each work along with information about the artist and the piece. The publication will be available on an iPad installed in the exhibition space at the Gallery, or online via the Kelowna Art Gallery’s website.
“It is always exciting to see the wide range of works contributed for the annual members’ exhibition,” says Nataley Nagy, Executive Director at the Kelowna Art Gallery. “We are once again thrilled to be able to share these with the community as one of the many ways we give back to our valued members for their ongoing support.”