Western Canada’s art magazine since 2002
7 November 2023 Vol 8 No 21 ISSN 2561-3316 © 2023
Shelley Boettcher
From the Editor
One of my first jobs after finishing my undergrad degree was working at the Nickle Arts Museum (now Nickle Galleries) at the University of Calgary.
I loved it: the creativity of the people around me; myriad calls and visits from artists and art students on campus; the fact it was the first job I’d ever had where I could wear whatever I wanted. Even knee-high purple Doc Martens.
A lot has happened in my life since then, including many years as an editor and writer for newspapers and magazines across Canada and around the world.
But starting as the new editor at Galleries West feels a little like coming full-circle, and I’m excited to share our fresh lineup of stories with you.
This issue, you can read fellow editor Paul Gessell’s outstanding review of Riopelle: Crossroads in Time, on now through April 7, 2024 at the National Gallery of Canada. Even if you feel you know much of Jean Paul Riopelle’s work, you may learn something new as you read. Then there’s Alison Gillmor’s deft take on Tim Gardner: The Full Story, on view at the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq though April 7, 2024.
And in Liz Magor: Stream of Time, Shazia Hafiz Ramji examines Liz Magor’s exhibition The Separation, on view at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Toronto until Feb. 4, 2024,
Also in Toronto, Douglas Coupland’s The New Ice Age is at Daniel Faria Gallery, on now through Dec. 16.
Beef satay and rice, anyone? You may be hungry after a visit to Angeline Simon’s self-tltled exhibition at the Esker Foundation in Calgary to Feb. 4, 2024. Also in Calgary, Iranian-American artist Mehdi Darvishi’s mezzotint exhibition, Centenary, at Alberta Printmakers Main Space Gallery, is on view for a few more weeks; it closes Dec. 1.
A little further west, Paula Ducharme’s mixed-media wall sculptures, entitled Tob Tob Kin, can be seen till the end of the year at Kamloops Art Gallery.
And don’t miss our news section, which includes a major donation to Vancouver Art Gallery, the Salt Spring Parallel Art Show Awards, the Canadian premiere of O’Keeffe and Moore: Giants of Modern Art at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and a $2.5 million sculpture for Calgary. Good news? I think so.
Looking ahead to December, Paul Gessell and I have been hard at work on the annual art books issue, too. There is always something noteworthy to write about and share.
I no longer have those purple Doc Martens. But I do still stay in touch with many of the same friends and colleagues from my Nickle Arts Museum days.
And I look forward to hearing from you, too. If you have news, story ideas or gallery information, or simply want to say hi, please reach out at editor@gallerieswest.ca.
Until next time,
CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE: Paul Gessell, Alison Gillmor, Shazia Hafiz Ramji
We acknowledge the support of the Government of Alberta Media Fund, the Government of Canada Periodical Fund and the Canada Council for the Arts.