Hjalmer Wenstob: For Ground; Background

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Hjalmer Wenstob

Hjalmer Wenstob, "for the year of reconcOILation," 2019

modified oil barrels, light.

ARTIST TALK For Ground; Background by Hjalmer Wenstob

Saturday 02 February, beginning at 2PM

Please join us for an artist talk by Hjalmer Wenstob as part of his exhibition, FOR GROUND; BACKGROUND, currently on view at the VAC main gallery space.

Hjalmer Wenstob was raised on an island in Barkley Sound, in Huu-ay-aht First Nation’s territory, off the west coast of Vancouver Island. It was there that his understanding and desire of pursing both his traditional Nuu-Chah-Nulth and contemporary art practices began. Wenstob is an interdisciplinary artist who specializes in sculpture, installation, and carving. He is Nuu-Chah-Nulth from the Tla-O-Qui-Aht First Nations on his father’s side, and Norwegian and English on his mother’s side. Hjalmer speaks of three dialects of his work– contemporary, traditional, and community-based. Through his contemporary dialect, Hjalmer completed both an undergraduate and master’s degree at the University of Victoria, exploring the relationships between cultures and art, and the balance between traditional and contemporary. His work, at times is highly political, and uses humour and irony to pose difficult questions of respect, reconciliation, and environmental issues. Recently, Hjalmer and his family opened Cedar House Gallery in Ucluelet, B.C. where he is exploring ways of weaving his contemporary/political work with more traditional materials and styles.

The exhibition, For Ground; Background is a culmination of selected sculptures from over the last four years, as well as new works and installations. For Ground; Background hosts works of question, concern and education, in regards to environment, urban relationships to the land, and treaties.

Celebrating 50 years of activity in and around the CRD, the Victoria Arts Council (former the Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria, est. 1968) is dedicated to raising awareness of and developing a positive, supportive environment for the arts through education, civic advocacy, projects and programs that reach artists and the community at large. We strive to elevate the profile of local artists and performers, while igniting a passion for arts and culture throughout Greater Victoria. VAC activities are open to the entire community. We welcome artists and performers of all disciplines and at all levels, from emerging to professional. We value and facilitate relationships with local organizations and arts groups in order to build community through arts and culture.