Haley Bassett: Matrilineal
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Two Rivers Gallery 725 Canada Games Way, Prince George, British Columbia V2L 5T1
Haley Bassett, "Grandmothers Garden," 2022
beads, fabric, embroidery hoop
Haley Bassett: Matrilineal
Matrilineal is an exhibition featuring Sunset Prairie-based interdisciplinary artist Haley Bassett. As she connects to her Métis and Eastern European roots, she harnesses the strength of her mothers and foremothers and unearths a new resilience within herself to traumas past and present. Two Rivers Gallery is thrilled to share this body of work in the Rustad Galleria from June 24th to August 7th. Bassett’s exhibition is an impressive display of many art forms. From embroidery and beadwork to painting and sculpture, she shows a broad range of skills honed during her time studying at Emily Carr University and Florence Academy of Art. Bassett’s impeccably detailed work is the result of hours upon hours of thoughtful labour. Sculptural explosions of matryoshka dolls (also known as Russian nesting dolls) and lovingly beaded and embroidered textiles tell a story of connection, community, and resilience.
Through the use of feminized motifs, such as roses, beads, and dolls, Bassett artfully displays the power and strength of traditions passed down through generations of women in her family. From these she draws the power to find new ways to heal from gender-based violence. Outside of her own visual arts practice, Haley Bassett is a pillar within the arts community of Northern British Columbia. She has developed programs to alleviate barriers to artistic professional development in the Peace Region in partnership with the Dawson Creek Art Gallery. She was also appointed as the Executive Director of the Peace-Liard Regional Arts Council in September of 2021. “We are so grateful to have the opportunity to support regional emerging artists in the Rustad Galleria. We are thrilled to be able to share this space with Haley Bassett and give the Prince George community an opportunity to learn about her and the powerful work she is doing,” says Kait Herlehy, Assistant Curator at Two Rivers Gallery.