Oxygen Art Centre is welcoming a new collaborative exhibition by three artists, Sarah Alford, Jennifer Bowes and Dee Gibson.
Upon Reflection showcases works that examine the patterns and details of our natural surroundings using everyday materials such as hot glue, baking parchment, butcher cord, and staples.
Through the artists’ labour intensive, process driven, and site responsive practice, they create a space for contemplating and re-imagining what it means to know the world.
This will be the first exhibition for the three artists who are also long-time friends. Although living in different provinces, they communicate online and offer feedback to each other on an ongoing basis.
On exhibiting in Nelson for the first time, Alford said, “Nelson is a wonderful city with a dynamic art scene. There are world-class artists living here and we wanted to be a part of this vibrant culture.”
The suggestion to exhibit at Oxygen came from Bill Metcalfe, a well-known name in the Nelson arts community as well as Alford’s uncle.
“[Alford] shares with the Oxygen Art Centre a delightful, innovative spirit,” says Metcalfe.
“That’s why I think her work will fit well at Oxygen and why I suggested, a few years ago, that she try to get an exhibit there. I am really excited that it is actually happening.”
As individual artists, Alford, Bowes, and Gibson each have a unique background in the arts. Across their various disciplines and approaches, some common themes in their work are silence, fragility, and living in a rural landscape.
Alford currently resides in Halifax where she teaches in the department of historical and critical studies at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University. She has studied art history, jewelry, metalsmithing, and fiber and material studies and her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally.
Bowes is an Alberta native who is a full-time instructor and program coordinator in the visual arts department at the Northern Lights College in BC. She specialized in painting and drawing at the University of Alberta. A seasoned globe-trotter, she has spent time in Scotland, England, Italy, Turkey, and Nepal.
Gibson grew up in Ontario and graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in painting from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University. Her work can currently be found in the collection of the Art Bank of Nova Scotia. She now resides in Saskatoon.
The exhibit will be at Oxygen Art Centre until September 24. Gallery hours are 1 to 5 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday.
To find out more about the artists, visit Oxygen’s website at oxygenartcentre.org. This exhibition is free and open to the public.