[BCMA] Media Release: Four Diverse Exhibitions Open October 27 at The Reach

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv.]

For immediate release
October 12, 2011

Four Diverse Exhibitions Open October 27 at The Reach
Punjabi Visions
Randall Steeves - Somatic Evidence
Patrick Wood - Opstraction
Our Communities Our Stories:  Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do or Do Without

October 27, 2011 - January 8, 2012
Opening Reception 7-9pm
The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford
32388 Veterans Way, Abbotsford

Abbotsford, BC....The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford opens four diverse exhibitions for the fall season October 27 at 7pm, 32388 Veterans Way. Punjabi Visions, brings together regional, national and international artists who employ various visual strategies revealing original and unconventional approaches that are characteristic of some of Canada's most divergent, visual artists. Randall Steeves - Somatic Evidence, a series of multi-panel art works comprised of the fingerprint from official sources, such as Scotland Yard and FBI procedural manuals as well as  the artists own prints. Patrick Wood - Opstraction is a series of paintings that investigate the concept of Gestalt, abstraction, mathematics and patterning; all lend themselves to this poignant reference point. Our Communities Our Stories:  Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do or Do Without brings wartime values to contemporary consciousness of conservation.


Punjabi Visions

Participating Artists: Jeet Aulakh (Windsor, Ontario), Sarindar Dhaliwal (Toronto, Ontario), Shilpa Gupta (Mumbai, India), Ali Kazimi (Toronto, Ontario), Manu Kaur Saluja (New York, NY, USA), and Jarnail Singh & Baljit Kaur (Surrey, British Columbia) and Jiten Thukral and Sumir Tagra (Thukral & Tagra) (New Delhi, India)

This contemporary Punjabi-Sikh exhibition presented by The Reach is in celebration the 100th anniversary of the Khalsa Diwan Society Gur Sikh Temple in Abbotsford. Punjabi Visions brings together regional, national and international artists who explore the social memories and cultural heritages of the Punjabi/Sikh communities. The artists in this exhibition employ various visual strategies revealing original and unconventional approaches that are characteristic of some of Canada's most divergent, rising visual artists.  These strategies include: exploration of spiritual, religious and mythological systems, exploration of symbols that are identity specific to the South Asian Diaspora, investigation of  themes including consumer culture, desire, security, militarism and human rights, the history of South Asian immigration to Canada, and intervention into colonial narratives about Punjabi/Sikh history.




Randall Steeves - Somatic Evidence
Randall Steeves' thickly painted, scratched and gouged paintings invite the viewer to reconsider the gesture of painting itself. The canvasses explore the relationship between the photographic index and the painterly trace with a wry nod towards conceptual art practice. The subject of the canvasses is, without exception, the fingerprint. Steeves had himself "processed" by the Vancouver Police Department in preparation for this work, and the single-panel pieces are made up entirely of his own prints. The multi-panel works are comprised of prints from official sources, such as Scotland Yard and FBI procedural manuals. The paintings are all made from encaustic, a beeswax based paint that is heated and brushed onto the canvas where it hardens immediately. The process results in a complex surface that can be read as a chronology of the painting's construction and as a record of the painter's physical presence and actions. Steeves has given workshops at art galleries, colleges and universities across Western Canada and has exhibited his work internationally.


Patrick Wood - Opstraction
Patrick Wood has been investigating the concept of Gestalt, abstraction, mathematics and patterning; all lend themselves to this poignant reference point. From prehistoric to modern times, civilizations have employed repetition and patterns as if conveying a secret language, mathematics or meaning. This investigation of pattern, colour and mathematics were the starting points for this series of paintings, Opstraction.


Our Communities Our Stories:  Use it Up,  Wear it Out, Make it Do or Do Without
This phrase coined in response to wartime shortages is a sentiment relevant to the contemporary issues of sustainability and conservation and speaks to the pioneer values of frugality and economy; managing with what was available and maximizing the lifespan of useful objects. This exhibition of permanent collection artefacts demonstrates early successes at re-use, recycling and re-purposing from a need being the "mother of invention" perspective including Tramp Art created from cigar boxes in contravention of Federal Excise laws; pioneer Mennonite craftsmanship and expertise at  making and remaking quilts; community-wide efforts to meet wartime shortages and rationing; to the level of care afforded possessions and ingenious repairs to extend the useful life of valued possessions.


The exhibitions open Thursday, October 27 with a reception, including wine and hors d'oeuvres, from 7 to 9pm, with opening remarks at 7:30pm. Prior to the reception join author and award-winning filmmaker, Ali Kazimi for an illustrated presentation and discussion about of one of the most infamous episodes in Canadian history and the subject of his upcoming book Undesirables:  White Canada and The Komagata Maru. This richly illustrated history showcases many rare archival photographs and visual materials, some never seen before,. Doors open at 5:15 Event starts at 5:45pm. While Undesirables is NOT available for sale at this event, selected guests attending will receive a complimentary, autographed copy of a special, limited edition of Undesirables. To RSVP confirming attendance at this launch and to be considered for a gifted copy of the book, please email ContactUndesirables at gmail.com with your name and contact information, and include "Abbotsford Launch" in the subject line.


On Saturday, October 29 at 1pm the Reach hosts a lecture and demonstration by artist Randal Steeves. For more information please contact The Reach at 604-864-8087 x111 or email kwahamaa at thereach.ca<mailto:kwahamaa at thereach.ca> or visit thereach.ca.  Admission to these events and the exhibitions is free. The Reach is located at 32388 Veterans Way, Abbotsford.
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Media Contact:
Kat Wahamaa
kwahamaa at thereach.ca<mailto:kwahamaa at thereach.ca>
604-864-8087 x124




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