North Vancouver Island's source for contemporary art
ON NOW.
The Chorus is Speaking : Experiencing Identities Of Blackness In Canada
Curated by: Michelle Jacques & Jenelle M. Pasiechnik June 11 to August 20, 2022
Ojo Agi – Christina Battle – Charles Campbell – Chantal Gibson – Dana Inkster – Karin Jones – Jan Wade – Syrus Marcus Ware; 8 artists of incredible insight and inventiveness brought together in an exploration of facets of the Black experience on Turtle Island through sculpture, drawing and painting, installation, film, and poetry.
The varied perspectives in the exhibition speak to activist positions, seeking a balance between carrying the weight of difficult histories and finding joy, the beauty of Blackness, cultivating boundaries through a resistance to the gaze, thinking through the creative process with curiosity, love of experimentation, and the pursuit of knowledge. This exhibition is an opening, a start to a necessary conversation and a welcoming for new dialogues and voices to be heard on Ligwiłda’xw territory. The exhibition is created in service of the Black community of Campbell River and North Vancouver Island. At the same time, we acknowledge the complexities of speaking to experiences and perspectives that come from five hundred years of complicated history on this land.
The title The Chorus is Speaking refers to a group of artists in dialogue about their experiences, the state of culture in Canada, and often untold (his)stories. In classical Greek theatre the chorus was a source of wisdom that would provide commentary on actions and events, thus creating a deeper and more meaningful connection between the characters, the audience, the story, and moral sentiment. This group functions in a similar way, by offering an overarching perspective filled with wisdom and insight. They have a wealth of experience as educators, artists, advocates, activists, and scholars thinking through their own lives and creative processes, offering us the opportunity to learn from and witness that knowledge.
Protocols have been put in place to ensure the safety of our visitors and staff. These include:
Enhanced cleaning
Staff and visitor self-screening prior to entering
Hand sanitizing stations
If you have travelled outside of Canada within the last 14 days, have been identified by Public Health as a close contact of someone with COVID-19, have been told to isolate by Public Health, or display any new or worsening COVID-19 like symptoms, please stay home and schedule your visit for a later date.
We appreciate your patience and collaboration as we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic and do our part to keep our community healthy.
Accessibility Information
The Campbell River Art Gallery is wheelchair accessible and is accessed by a two main doors to the Centennial Building, with an accessible parking space at the rear of the building. There is one gender inclusive washroom located by the West entrance (near Shoppers Row) If you have any other questions or concerns about accessibility, please contact office 250-287-2261 or admin@crartgallery.ca.
Thank to everyone who attended yesterday’s Opening Reception for Distant Relatives. What an incredible and impactful event, thank you to everyone coming with open ears and open hearts. We are incredibly honored to be holding Read more…
The Campbell River Art Gallery has launched an Art Hive, with financial assistance from the province, through a BC Art Council Arts Impact grant. On Thursday mornings, artist Nadine Bariteau hosts art-making workshops for people Read more…
In the exhibition Ask the Mountains, Sylvie Ringer and Jenni Schine conjure deeply meaningful memories and experiences through their use of sound, visual artwork, and installation, allowing the visitors entrance into the world of Malcolm Island through the artists’ eyes and ears.