The Burnaby Art Gallery is presenting eclectic selections from its collection at three new exhibitions at local library branches.
The Burnaby Public Library's Metrotown branch is playing host to Haydn Thomas: ESC CTRL, until Feb. 2.
The exhibition includes a series of pencil crayon drawings by Thomas, combining forms and motifs drawn from nature.
"Patterns emerge from these forms through a wandering, unplanned drawing process, with the artist seeking to allow the drawings themselves to unfold and bloom," a press release explains.
Thomas is inspired by various sources - Ukrainian Easter eggs, Indian and Tibetan mandalas, Moroccan rug designs, Polish and Eastern European lace work.
He notes the embedded effects of patterning on young consciousness - through the wallpapers, linoleum designs, carpets and decorative objects that surrounded him as a child.
"These patterns have served an important role in the shaping of his aesthetic sensibilities and resound throughout his practice," the press release noted.
Thomas is presenting an "artist walk" on Nov. 17, meeting in the atrium at the Metrotown library at 2 p.m. He will discuss his ideas on drawing and his recent experimentation with patterning from various mushroom and fungus spores, then lead a walk to look at and collect natural pattern pieces in Central Park.
The walk is free, and everyone is welcome.
The Metrotown library branch is at 6100 Willingdon Ave.
At the McGill branch in North Burnaby, art lovers can enjoy The Natural Numeral, an exhibition that draws on the gallery's permanent collection to examine the use of numbers in printmaking.
The release notes that the works reference the Gregorian calendar and seafaring charts, and draw upon scoring systems and the ordering of objects, precise measurement and cures for insomnia.
"What can also be noted when viewing these works is the graphic presence of the numeral - in other words, the number as form or shape," the release notes.
The McGill library is at 4595 Albert St.
At the Tommy Douglas Library branch on Kingsway, viewers can check out Rare Books, a special exhibition of eight rare books from the gallery's library and resource collection.
The editions include illustrations by well-known artists such as Clare Leighton, Ernest Lumsden and Charles H. Scott.
The library is at 7311 Kingsway.
For more details, check out www.burnabyartgallery.ca, or drop by any of the library branches during opening hours to view the work.
