Drop by to see the Grand River Artists Collective annual show and sale at 44 Gaukel, Kitchener this weekend
Negotiating Culture at 44 Gaukel, Kitchener, ON
Artists featured: Michael ManChoi Chow, Andrea Filiatrault, Elizabeth Forrest, Wen Li, Nancy Peng, Barry Smylie
As the child of immigrant Chinese parents from Hong Kong, I was born there, grew up in Canada and now living here for over 60 years. As an adolescent, I was ‘negotiating culture’ without the intellectual understanding of what it was. Only much later, studying theology and social sciences did I learn the term that described my life experience.
“In a multicultural society such as Canada, many people live in-between cultures and inevitably participate in cultural translation.”
Soheila Esfahani, juror and curator
“This curatorial project asks artists to reflect on how they define culture and what it means to live in the third space and negotiate cultural variance. If artists are cultural producers, how do they represent culture in their work? What are some of the ways we connect to other cultures and possibly live in liminal or in-between spaces?”
Soheila Esfahani, juror and curator
Upon reflection, even now, I’m unsure I fully grasp the significance of learning to ‘negotiate culture’; it was survival, yearning for a sense of ‘belonging’. Being in the liminal space between familiar and uncharted territory can provoke fear of the unknown.Or it may lead to new possibilities otherwise overlooked.Being face to face with our inner fears about who we are, our strengths and vulnerabilities, even survival,can cause us to question the core of our identities, and doubt life’s meaning and purpose. Engaging with liminality is the launchpad to cross thresholds that lead to life beyond what is familiar.
I believe being in liminal spaces is a universal human experience, essential to adapting to change and experiencing growth, individual and communal. Art can draw us in, mirror life experiences to facilitate becoming more cognizant of and make choices for how we want to live. In this exhibition I have chosen pieces of my art to focus on the intrapsychic and spiritual dimensions of negotiating culture.
ManChoi
Negotiating Culture (a juried exhibition)
Honoured to be among 6 artists in this thought provoking, personally and socially relevant exhibition, exploring the liminal spaces where one lives, “translating” and “negotiating” cultures.
“This curatorial project asks artists to reflect on how they define culture and what it means to live in thethird spaceand negotiate cultural variance. If artists are cultural producers, how do they represent culture in their work? What are some of the ways we connect to other cultures and possibly live in liminal or in-between spaces?”
Soheila Esfahani, juror and professor of art, University of Western Ontario
Belonging: Home, Homelessness, Upacking the suitcase
Opening reception: Wednesday, Sept 25, 5 pm at Martin Luther University College, Bricker at Albert, Waterloo (free parking)
Sneak peak of Belonging: Home, Homelessness, Unpacking the suitcase
Here’s a sneak peak of the exhibition at Martin Luther University College, Keffer Chapel. Now till November 29, 2024
Belonging: Home, Homelessness, Unpacking your suitcase
Opening reception: Wednesday, Sept 25, 2024, 5 pm
Refreshments will be served - Free parking available
Martin Luther University College, Bricker & Albert Streets, Waterloo
Belonging: Home, Homelessness, Unpacking the suitcase
Where: Martin Luther University College, Bricker & Albert Streets, Waterloo
When: Sept 9 - Nov 29, 2024
Artists: Michael ManChoi Chow, Kerry L Ross
Featuring interviews by Carol Pinnock with new Canadians and returning Canadians about what they take with them that remind them of ‘Home’ and what does the sense of belonging mean for them
Sneak Preview: "Chez Nous" 44 Gaukel, Kitchener
Here is a sneak preview of Chez Nous, 44 Guakel Street, Kitchener
Opening Reception, May 3, 4 to 9 pm
Chez Nous at GRACe, 144 Gaukel St, Kitchener - May 3 to 31, 2024 (Copy)
A Group Collaboration on the theme of HOME
ManChoi Chow | Arlene McCarthy | Tom Samolczyk | Val Thomson | Anne Williamson | Roger Young
Opening Reception Friday, May 3, 4-8 pm
Thursdays May 9, 16, 23, 30 — 3 to 6 pm
Saturdays May 4, 11, 18, 25 — 11 am to 2 pm
Victoria Day, May 20 — 11 am to 2 pm
Like many others, I have been disturbed by the crisis of adequate affordable housing in just about every community in Canada, and definitely “at home” in Kitchener. As an artist, I want to use this exhibit as a means to engage with this social challenge.
Father Toby Collins, CR, Pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kitchener, guided me through A Better Tent City (ABTC) in December. ABTC is home to a community of residents who are underhoused. There are supervised facilities on site for food, shelter and support.
Again, I am reminded that we are inter-connected and inter-dependent, no matter human, animal, bird, aquatic, insect, vegetation, or microbial.
A hard lesson, to be sure, that we can no longer ignore. While looking for solutions to homelessness is daunting, I am emboldened that crisis is both danger and opportunity.
Artists at Work (Homer Watson House & Gallery)
Join us for the Opening Reception, Saturday, Feb 3, 2024, 2-4 pm. Homer Watson House & Gallery, 1754 Old Mill Rd, Kitchener
50 pieces of ‘work’ by local artists have been chosen by the jurors and will be on display and available for sale. The following 3 are included.
'Shades of Women' at KPL
Pleased to participate in this exhibition honouring Women, KPL main branch
Opening reception: Thurs, Mar 9, 6-8 pm, 85 Queen Street North, Lower Level