David Ostrem: Why Won’t You Be Art?
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Burnaby Art Gallery 6344 Deer Lake Ave, Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 2J3
David Ostrem, "Why Won’t You Be Art? No. 2 (detail)," 2014
digital collage on paper, AP/1, 33.0 x 42.5 cm, Courtesy of the artist, Photo: Blaine Campbell
Opening Reception | April 19, 7- 9 pm
Roger Corman’s dark comedy A Bucket of Blood (1959) follows a beatnik who struggles in vain to become an artist. In one scene, he claws at a clay sculpture, yelling “Be a nose! Be a nose!”
This exhibition features 50 recent photo-collage based works by Vancouver artist David Ostrem, who has been making art using photography, painting and printmaking techniques for more than 40 years. For the exhibition Why Won’t You Be Art? Ostrem incorporates art history, literature and pop culture into incisive statements and questions about artistic struggle, human perception, emotion and meaning.
David Ostrem was born in Portland, Oregon in 1945, and immigrated to Canada in 1969. In 1974 he enrolled at the Vancouver School of Art, specializing in photography. His work often juxtaposes photo-based graphics from newspapers, magazines, 1940s comic books, art-history texts, drafting tools, jazz records, old photos, and painting guides for amateurs. Ostrem lives and works in Vancouver.
Public Programs
Opening Reception: Thursday, April 19, 7-9pm | Free, Everyone Welcome Join us for the opening reception at the Burnaby Art Gallery. The evening will feature opening remarks, followed by a reception. The evening will also include the opening reception of Arts Alive 2018, an exhibition featuring artworks by Burnaby Secondary School students.
Burnaby Art Gallery Tour & Tea Series: David Ostrem Tuesday, April 24, 2-3:30pm | 55 years + | $7.50 | Registration requiredJoin gallery staff for a guided tour of the current exhibition and finish the visit by settling into the Fireside Room for tea and treats. Call 604-297-4422 to register.
Artist Q & A and Film Screening: Thursday, April 26, 6pm | Free, Everyone WelcomeJoin Assistant Curator Jennifer Cane in conversation with artist David Ostrem as they explore the influence of films on his practice. Segments of the films A Bucket of Blood, Blow-Up, and Rose Hobart will be screened throughout the Q&A. Light refreshments and drinks will be available.
In the BAG Family Sundays: Sunday, April 22 & May 20, 1-4pm | Free, drop-in, all agesCome and make art! Get your minds humming with a visit to the gallery to view the exhibitions on display and then into the studio for family-friendly art projects. On April 22, create comical collages and on May 20 learn about photo abstraction techniques.
Collage Party: Friday, June 1, 5-8pm | Free, drop-in, all agesDrop in and join us for a unique family-friendly Friday night by exploring David Ostrem’s photo collages and creating your own collages from comic books.
In association with: Capture Photography Festival