Frozen in Time

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Crystal Rassi, “Jacks Float,” no date

oil on canvas, 36" x 24" x 1-1/2" (courtesy of the Gallery)

Opening Reception: Thursday, May 8, 6–8 p.m.

Frozen in Time features the work of three local artists whose practices explore the passing of time–whether through the impermanence of beauty, the reconstruction of architectural spaces from memory, or an examination of how architecture can serve as a marker of time.

Silvia Tagusagawa’s body of work titled Eternal Echoes of Nature, explores themes of resilience and impermanence. Her delicate botanical and marine life ceramic sculptures symbolize life’s transience. Through her work, Tagusagawa transforms this fleeting quality into an expression of lightness, beauty, and hope—seeking to inspire renewal and optimism while balancing life’s hard truths with the healing and uplifting power of art.

Nejood Al-Sehrewerdi’s mixed-media collages are recreations of cultural and sacred places drawn from memory, lived experiences, and imagined journeys. His work reflects a deep sense of nostalgia and longing for the rich heritage of Islamic architecture, from the grandeur of mosques to the intricate details of historic cities. Layered with acrylic paint, intricate embellishments, colourful threads, beads, and mosaics, each piece fuses memory with imagination, breathing life into past and present.

Crystal Rassi’s paintings examine how architecture and home serve as markers of time, memory, and cultural identity. Inspired by the pandemic as a period of stasis—a time when movement, work, and social interactions were frozen—her paintings explore specific architectural and cultural moments by using ice cream as the frozen catalyst to connect to the historical period. Through residential architecture, cultural landmarks, and structures built in response to societal needs, Rassi invites viewers to reflect on how time shapes our environments and collective experiences of place. A nostalgic colour palette, inspired by vintage ice cream treats, further reinforces the concept of frozen moments, both literally and metaphorically. Each painting tells the story of a home or structure rooted in a particular era, highlighting architecture’s role in preserving the past even as society moves forward.

Meet the Artists: Saturday, May 10, 2–3 p.m.

Farsi Tour: Saturday, May 24, 2–3 p.m.