From food to representation, translation to queer esthetic, the Richmond Art Gallery is entering the new year with a jam-packed exhibition lineup.
The art gallery will have six new exhibitions from local and international artists asking "existential questions" such as how we communicate with others in our communities and how we can create connections, said Zoë Chan, curator at Richmond Art Gallery.
"We put together a program of exhibitions that we hope represent the diversity of the population in Richmond but also address themes and subject matter we think would be pertinent to any engaged citizen," said Chan.
"We're interested in exhibitions that are engaging with current questions and it can offer windows not into just artistic practices but also to open up people's world."
Chan hopes visitors in the upcoming year can explore and discover each artist's practice. She also hopes visitors can view the world from a different perspective in addition to what they see in mainstream media.
"We don't want it to be an esthetic experience. Rather, we want to offer viewers the possibility to be more engaging with a range of subject matter."
The 2024 Richmond Art Gallery exhibitions are as follows:
Jan. 20 to Mar. 31
1. "but this is the language we met in; 我们在这个语言中相遇" by Shen Xin
This solo exhibit dives into all forms of communication — gestures, oral, written and digital — across cultures.
2. "Let the real world in" featuring Kirsten Leenaars (U.S.), Wapikoni Mobile (Quebec, Canada), Yoshua Okón (Mexico) and Yaimel López Zaldívar (Canada)
A group exhibition of various contemporary videos centred on children and youth. In comparison to adults speaking on behalf of children or trying to protect them from difficult realities, the videos in the exhibition take the children's perspectives, ideas and experiences of the world seriously.
Apr. 20 to June 30
3. "Unit Bruises" featuring Theodore Wan and Paul Wong
The exhibition pulls together the work of two Chinese-Canadian conceptual artists from the 1970s. Works of Wan and Paul, featuring visuals of medical and procedural illustrations, resonate in today's sociopolitical climate given the recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes.
4. "The Marble in the Basement" by Hazel Meyer
Meyer's exhibit looks at questions of inheritance and what gets archived and catalogued as important.
July 20 to Sept. 29
5. "It begins with knowing and not knowing" featuring Rebecca Bair, Xinwei Che, Patrick Cruz, Zoë Kreye, Ogheneofegor Obuwoma, Michelle Sound and Ximena Velásquez
This group exhibition highlights work by artists who engage with dimensions of spirituality and rituals to find meaning, rebuild ties with the community and regain a sense of optimism. A variety of textile-based, cyanotype pieces and video installations can be expected during this exhibition.
Oct. 19 to Dec. 31
6. "Foodways"
An exhibition focusing on artists who explore food and food cultures and link them to questions of identity, personal narrative, memory, histories, community and the passing of knowledge. Public programming of the exhibit will include a series of food-related community events focused on gardening, food security, seed saving and biodiversity.
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