Shannon Lester and Endrené Shepherd:  Sea of Love

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Shannon Lester and Endrené Shepherd, "Sea of Love," 2021

Shannon Lester and Endrene Shepherd: Sea of Love

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever… - Jacques Yves Cousteau

Sea of Love is a homage to nature, ecosystems, connections, and discoveries.  Artists Shannon Lester and Endrene Shepherd are immersed in an artistic practice that offers commentary, anecdotes and observations of the natural world.

Shannon Lester is a visual artist and teacher based in the Okanagan since 1999. He works primarily in acrylic on canvas and has explored topics related to gender identity and sexuality in the past. His current work has moved more into the realms of fantasy, mysticism, surrealism and nature spirituality with a strong focus on underwater/ocean art. Lester grew up in Newfoundland and spent six years living and teaching in Osaka, Japan where he started the drag-based performance art collective Kiss Kiss Bang Bang in 2009. He is also a local drag personality known as Sasha Zamolodchikova in Kelowna and entertains regularly at different venues in BC and beyond.

Born in Vancouver and raised in the rural setting of Kaleden, BC, Endrené Shepherd displayed an aptitude for art-making from an early age. She learned how to handle watercolours from her grandfather, and has made art the focal point of her life for as long as she has existed. She graduated from the Capilano College Film Studies program in 1999, and went on to get a BFA degree from UBCO in 2004. Her work has been exhibited in exhibitions locally and internationally.