Elsa Robinson | The Garden

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Elsa Robinson, “The Garden,” 2024

mixed media (courtesy of the artist)

Artist Talk + Reception: February 6 from 6-8 pm (Talk at 6:30 pm)

The Art Gallery of St. Albert (part of the Arts and Heritage Foundation) is launching its newest exhibition in the beautiful main gallery space.

The Garden is a tranquil, magical space, created by Edmonton’s Elsa Robinson.

As visitors enter the exhibition, they take in the exclusively black and gold colour pallet, wandering around stunning sculptures and figures. An inviting quilted cave welcomes visitors to lay in among its rounded walls, which glimmer like the night sky. At the centre of the exhibition space is a massive fabric tree for visitors to sit nearby together and share stories.

With lifetimes of knowledge, skill and effort, The Garden is planted in Elsa’s heritage and culture. Jamaican characters, imagery and stories are found throughout the space. Elsa gathers up the past: memories of her childhood, the experiences of her community and tales from her ancestors that are often ignored or purposely forgotten.

Visitors are encouraged to imagine the hands that worked for years to build this space, not only Elsa’s hands as the artist, but also the hands of her mother, Pansy, her son Galen and her grandson Elijah.

“There is a magic in this place. You can feel the limitless possibilities that live where people gather, spaces where everyone is welcome“, says Emily Baker, Art Gallery of St. Albert Curator.

Events:

• In-person tours: February 13 at 6:30 pm and March 14 at noon

• Virtual tour: March 5 at noon on Facebook Live

• Meet Elsa in The Garden: (see artsandheritage.ca for details)

• Closing reception and cross-cultural story exchange: March 15, 1-3 pm