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Arctic visits explored in Burnaby Art Gallery show

Trips to some of the world’s most remote regions are documented in a new exhibition opening at Burnaby Art Gallery in June. Tara Nicholson: Arctic Claims runs from June 2 to July 2 at the gallery, with an opening reception on June 8.

Trips to some of the world’s most remote regions are documented in a new exhibition opening at Burnaby Art Gallery in June.

Tara Nicholson: Arctic Claims runs from June 2 to July 2 at the gallery, with an opening reception on June 8.

In 2015, Nicholson travelled to Western Greenland to produce a new body of work exploring climate change research, based at the University of Copenhagen Arctic Station. In 2017, she has travelled to Inuvik to record and study alongside climate scientists in Canada’s North.

Nicholson’s work reveals what a press release calls the “aesthetic of taxonomies – the processes of collection and classification that develop scientific data, helping us understand what is occurring in our changing environment.”

Nicholson’s photographic exhibition also draws connections between the artist’s studio and scientific lab.

“I am interested in exploring links between scientific and creative thought and visualizing elements within climate research, as my images depict the Arctic Circle not as an untouched vista, but as an active site for discovery,” she explains in an artist’s statement. “I am interested in de-cloaking scientific spaces, collaborating with scientists and documenting these sites of innovation amongst the landscape of the Arctic.”

Nicholson’s work will be in the lower gallery. In the upper gallery, visitors can check out Les McKinnon: Reflecting on Headlines, running June 9 to July 2.

McKinnon, a Burnaby artist, riffs on newspaper headlines – inspired by the bold headlines of newspapers displayed outside small stores during a recent trip to Scotland. His series of paintings flips the headlines to what they would have looked like as typeset.

“It occurred to me that the (headlines) would be interesting if you took one step back and read them as old-fashioned handset type,” he said in an artist statement. “While I would find them easy to read, others would have to work hard to discover their meaning.”

An opening reception for both exhibitions is set for Thursday, June 8 at 7 p.m. in the gallery, with live music and refreshments on the gallery’s veranda. The gallery is at 6344 Deer Lake Ave. See www.burnabyartgallery.ca or call 604-297-4422 for details.

 

 

WHAT’S ON

The Burnaby Art Gallery is offering a number of public programs in connection with its new exhibitions. Among them:

Tea and tour: Join gallery staff for a guided tour, followed by tea and treats in the Fireside Room, on Tuesday, June 6 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. It costs $7.50 and is aimed at those 55 and up. Call 604-297-4422.

Artist talk: Artists Tara Nicholson and Les McKinnon lead a tour and talk through their exhibitions, revealing the inspiration and influences behind their work. It’s set for Sunday, June 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. It’s free and open to everyone.

In the BAG Family Sunday: Families and folks of all ages are welcome to drop in between 1 and 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 11 to take part in this month’s studio session. Tour the exhibitions and then make your own art using photo abstraction techniques.