Lonigan Gilbert | Transmission

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Lonigan Gilbert, "Head + Shoulders," 2022

acrylic on canvas, 48x60". Courtesy of the Gallery.

Reception and Artist Talk – October 13 from 6:30-8:30 pm

The Art Gallery of St. Albert (part of the Arts and Heritage Foundation) is preparing for the launch of its newest main exhibition which confronts gallery visitors with a no-holds-barred, brutally honest assessment of contemporary communication. Transmission by Lonigan Gilbert. 

A member of the Fisher River Cree Nation in Treaty 5 territory, this emerging multidisciplinary artist has been living and working in amiskwaciywaskahikan, Treaty 6 territory, since 2016. “We are thrilled to showcase Lonigan’s work in his first solo exhibition,” says Art Gallery of St. Albert’s Curator, Emily Baker. “Gilbert’s exhibition boldly tackles difficult subjects, often accompanied by a wry and slightly macabre sense of humour”.

The artist’s bold works in Transmission are densely packed. Riots of colour and text fill the canvas, leading viewers through the scenes at a dizzying pace. An impressive range of art media are used to a spellbinding effect. Highly symbolic, the artworks feature icons from literature, music and films sitting side by side with references to historic people and places.

Viewers witness a synthesis of lived experiences, politics, history, global events and philosophy. Within the mess and complexity, Gilbert reminds viewers to recognize the hazards created by a culture of division and excess. They are led through a gripping visual journal that reveals the artist’s observations of our chaotic contemporary world. Raw and powerful, Gilbert’s work takes aim at our inattentive society.

When the facades are dropped and distractions put aside, viewers are left with a call to honestly see one another. Within the mess and complexity, Gilbert encourages visitors to recognize all people as people first.

In-person tours with curator – October 25 and November 9 at 12 pm

Virtual tour with curator – November 2 at 12 pm