SERIES: Richard Boulet -- RAGE HOPE

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Richard Boulet, "Neologism (detail)," 2004

textile, Courtesy the artist and dc3 Art Projects.

OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, October 19, 2017 - 5:00pm to 8:00pm

Artist’s Tour: Join artist Richard Boulet for a tour of his exhibition, RAGE HOPE. Thursday, October 19, 2017 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Mental Health in Museums and Art Galleries: A Panel Discussion: Thursday, November 30, 2017 - 12:00pm to 1:30pm Join Dick Averns, Paul Freeman, Tamara Pringsheim, and other special guests to discuss the relationship between mental health, museums, art galleries, art and artists. The discussion will be followed by a relaxed reception for the exhibition, Richard Boulet: RAGE HOPE. Everyone welcome.

Organized by Nickle Galleries, Curated by Dick Averns

RAGE HOPE addresses the theme of mental wellness and features the work of Edmonton artist Richard Boulet. Mounted in conjunction with SPARK Disability Arts Festival, Boulet’s artworks feature highly crafted textiles, text-based art, drawings and artist books. These range from large‐scale wall hangings, to intimate cross-stitch and collaborative book‐works, spanning almost thirty years.

RAGE HOPE is the most comprehensive chronology of Boulet’s work exhibited to date, incorporating early mixed media works emanating from a period of psychosis pre-dating his diagnosis with Schizophrenia. Mid-career textile wall hangings impart intricate processes reflecting a journey toward a new normalcy: encounters with addiction and homelessness reveal a profound sense of self-awareness. Recent works include a return to drawing and a series of artist books, followed with new textile and cross‐stitch hangings: an embrace of collaboration and community, along with a compelling sense of humanism indicate a powerful commitment to mental wellness. An illustrated catalogue with a curatorial essay, an artist talk and several public programs help to contextualize Boulet’s artwork in the fields of disability arts, social practice, cripping and contemporary art.

Dick Averns is an artist and writer teaching studio art, art history, and theory at the University of Calgary. He is well known for his critical writing, sculpture, and performance work. RAGE HOPE is his first solo curatorial project.