The Okanagan arts community is in the throes of celebrating printmaking in all its forms.
With the international Okanagan Print Triennial (OPT) currently underway at the Vernon Public Art Gallery, another print exhibition is opening at a Kelowna gallery.
Operated by Vernon-westside resident Carolina Sanchez de Bustamante, ARTE funktional is about to exhibit the works of Okanagan printmakers in From the Matrix.
The work includes etchings, mono-prints, dry-points, and lithographs to name a few.
“The featured artists work in traditional and contemporary print media,” said Sanchez de Bustemante, who has welcomed many known North and Central Okanagan artists to be a part of the show.
They include UBC Okanagan creative studies professor and OPT founder Briar Craig, whose works are also about to be displayed at Vernon’s Headbones Gallery. His prints are inspired by images found in popular culture.
Falkland artist Ann Kipling explores and uses different qualities of lines in etching and dry-point prints, while Kelowna’s Shauna Oddleifson presents etchings of her whimsical Animal Dreams print series.
Kelowna’s Mary Smith McCulloch explores the relationship of archetypal forms created by humans and their intersection with the land, while senior Canadian artist David Alexander, of Kelowna, presents works marked by his expressive and energetic style and approach to the landscape representation.
Armstrong’s Rhonda Neufeld and Rodney Konopaki’s collaborative works, Walking Lines, embody the feeling and experiences of the prairies, while Kelowna artist Lynden Beesley’s prints are informed by the intriguing stories and myths upon which western identities are founded.
Vernon artist Carin Covin’s woodcuts investigate concepts of identity concerning memory and memorial, while Lubos Culen’s work examines the existential nature of the human condition.
“Each of these artists featured in this exhibition give a unique application of printmaking by combining traditional and contemporary aspects, qualities, and aesthetics found within their personal creative practices,” said Sanchez de Bustamante.
From the Matrix is on view at ARTE funktional from April 8 to May 8. Opening reception is April 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. The gallery is located at 1302 St. Paul St., downtown Kelowna. For more information visit www.artefunktional.com or call 250-540-4249.
