Sebastian Maquieira: Billboard Project

×

Expand

Monica Reyes Gallery

Sebastian Maquieira, "Billboard at East Hastings and Clark Ave., Vancouver, BC." 2020

The Billboard Project extends the public’s access to local artists and treats viewers to approachable, yet thought-provoking contemporary art on the billboard adjacent to the Mónica Reyes Gallery on Princess Avenue just south of East Hastings Street in the historic and diverse neighbourhood of Strathcona.

For our last billboard of 2020 we invited artist Sebastian Maquieira to propose one of his silkscreen on antique/found map works. The image he chose is so fitting and sums up so well the year we’ve had.

A horizontal laying human figure rests in a meditative state while crows circle above him, in the background we recognize an obsolete map.

This year emphasized that the consequences of our acts do affect everyone around us; that we are all interconnected; that we are indeed part of the global village, that although borders can be closed down connections can remain intact, and yes, technology can be a life line.

Lots to reflect and wish for. At this time of the year when holiday cheer gets spread around like butter and good wishes for the New Year are the norm, we want to remind you that staying at home can save lives, that we hope for a vaccinated 2021 so we can embrace one another in the most basic way -- with open arms.

In 2003 Maquieira graduated from the prestigious Finisterrae University with a degree in Fine Arts. That same year he was awarded a scholarship to intern in the studio of Eugenio Téllez for six months in NYC. Maquieira has exhibited extensively in his native Chile most recently at the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo (MAC) 2019/2020 "Los límites de la Tierra. 14° Bienal de Artes Mediales de Santiago" and also in Ecuador, Buenos Aires and London, UK.

We thank art collector Dr. Ricardo Roa for his support in the production of this billboard.

The billboard is located at the intersection of East Hastings and Clark Avenue in Strathcona, the same neighborhood where the gallery is located.