Art
New Nanaimo Art Gallery exhibition explores generations through film – Nanaimo News Bulletin
The Nanaimo Art Gallery is wrapping up its yearlong inquiry, ‘What are generations?’ with an exhibition by Vancouver-based photographer and recent Governor General’s Award recipient Sandra Semchuk.
In her show, A Generational Retrospective, opening at the NAG on Feb. 6 and running until April 5, Semchuk and NAG curator Jesse Birch have assembled a collection of photographs and video work spanning the ’70s to the present day, including new pieces created specifically for this show.
Many of the photographs are what Semchuk calls “co-operative self-portraits,” taken with family members. But she said the pictures are about more than just her.
“I use myself as a way to consider larger issues,” she explained. “Particularly, how we come to know one another or how we come to see one another from person to person and within our families and within different cultures and across species.”
Semchuk said people have “an enormous difficulty” in coming to know and relate with one another and it’s questions around that dilemma that she investigates in her work.
“The art of coming to know each other across cultures is crucial to our very survival,” she said. “So, one, how do we come to see ourselves? And how do we come to see someone else? … How do we know when we’re projecting on someone else or another species or someone we care about? How do we simply come to know someone? What does real intimacy look like?”
Birch has been following Semchuk for more than 20 years and said that her body of work fits well with the gallery’s thematic inquiry.
“Throughout her practice there’s been a thread of work where she’s collaborated with people of different generations in her family, through her friends, through other people in the community,” he said. “And that intention to communicate through art across generations was something that is so perfect for this year.”
The day before the show closes on April 5 Semchuk will return to the NAG for a launch and reading from her new book. The Stories Were Not Told, a project 12 years in the making, examines Canada’s First World War internment camps through photographs and interviews with descendants of internees. Semchuk said she felt “compelled” to write the book after learning about the internments and needing to “figure it out.”
She said the book relates to the exhibition’s idea of the importance of dialogue for identity.
“It’s in dialogue that we are negotiating identity with someone else and if the stories are suppressed, then we tend to buy into dominant narratives of who we can be,” Semchuk said. “So it opens up and loosens up identity so that we can be more specific and nuanced and understand why we carry certain kinds of … trauma or strength or resilience. It opens up possibilities of understanding more deeply and authentically who we are.”
WHAT’S ON … Opening reception for A Generational Retrospective takes place at the Nanaimo Art Gallery, 150 Commercial St., on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. Show runs until April 5. Book launch and reading for The Stories Were Not Told happens at the gallery on April 4 at 1 p.m.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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