The Reach Gallery Museum Abbotsford is excited to launch its new season of exhibitions with three shows by exceptional Indigenous artists and a roundup of some of the best artworks created in the Fraser Valley. The final season of exhibitions in 2017 continues the overarching theme for the 150th year of Confederation at The Reach through programming that addresses concepts of decolonization and (re)conciliation. The public is invited to meet the artists, connect with our arts community and enjoy appies at the Exhibitions Opening Reception on Thursday, September 21, 2017 at 7pm at The Reach, 32388 Veterans Way.
Ursula Johnson, Untitled Performance, 2014, photo courtesy of Steve Farmer.
The Fall/Winter season showcases three young, talented Indigenous artists. The Reach is proud to present Mi’qmaq artist Ursula Johnson’s Mi’kwite’tmn (Do You Remember?). Johnson’s interdisciplinary practice ranges from fine craft and traditional Aboriginal art forms through performance and installation. This nationally touring exhibition examines ideas of ancestry, identity and cultural practice. In conjunction with the exhibition, Johnson will also engage in an endurance performance in the gallery on September 22, 23, & 24 from 12 pm- 5pm each day. The performance involves pounding and splitting an ash-wood log as traditionally employed in Mi’kmaw basket-making.
In Out of the Current, Tara-Lynn Kozma-Perrin shares her experience with undiagnosed chronic pain. As a young woman, this sudden change has had consequences on every facet of her life. Kozma-Perrin’s focus is on the internal, isolated nature of pain and these works offer intimate glimpses into her life. From Abbotsford, Kozma-Perrin is a contemporary First Nations who works with new media and installation to consider themes of intimacy, interactivity, and language.
Cody Lecoy, Sonar, 2017, Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 40 in.
In Cognitive Dissonance, curated by The Reach’s Curatorial Intern Andrea Pepper (Soowahlie First Nation), emerging artist, Cody Lecoy explores his family lineage to decipher his own past. Lecoy is of of Sylix and Lekwungen ancestry and is currently based in Richmond. In his latest series of paintings, he considers the lasting effects of human behaviour on the climate and gives voice to Indigenous concerns for territory currently occupied and utilized by energy corporations. Lecoy’s unique perspective combines Northwest Coast formline and Coast Salish design with the vivid, illusory qualities of Surrealism.
The season of exhibitions is rounded out by a significant showing of regional artists. The 2017 Fraser Valley Biennale celebrates the artistic accomplishments of this region, expands the public’s knowledge of artists working locally, and nurtures the growth of the artist community in the Fraser Valley. Now in its fourth iteration, the Biennale has become an important vehicle for the promotion and presentation of talented artists from Hope to Langley. This year’s artists are: Doris Auxier, Simon Chornick, Ken Dawes, Amy J. Dyck, Chris Friesen, Paula Funk, Erica Grimm, Fiona Howarth, Sharon Huget, Brenna Kanski, Krista Kilvert, Linda Klippenstein, Dan Lefebvre, Marguerite MacIntosh, Patricia Peters, Sylvie Roussel-Janssens, Tracie Stewart, Pierre Tremblay, Kat Wahamaa, Sandra Wiens and Jenn Williamson. This exhibition is curated by Beth Carruthers, a curator, consultant, theorist, artist, and researcher.
These exhibitions will be featured at The Reach until December 31, 2017. For more details on the new exhibitions and a host of connecting public programming, visit the reach.ca or drop by The Reach, 32388 Veterans Way, Abbotsford.