When mid-Island artists Gem Chang-Kue, Nan Goodship and Denise Tierney met at the behest of VIU art professor and View Gallery curator Justin McGrail to discuss holding a join exhibition, they didn’t know what would come of it.
Goodship said all they knew was that it felt like a good idea.
“We weren’t even sure what the theme of the show would be or how our work could work together, but we did notice that we had a lot in common…” she said. “And it was from there, from our conversations about art, art making, life, that we really felt a real synergy and a real sense of the ease of working together.”
The trio are all VIU grads, with Chang-Kue being the common acquaintance. Tierney said the trio felt a natural connection from the start.
“We slipped right into good, deep, fulfilling conversation and we talked about ideas for a show and we started realizing there’s something here,” Tierney said.
Those discussions led to the group’s exhibition, Conversari, which comes to the View Gallery from Jan. 11 to Feb. 22. The show explores the concept of conversation from each artist’s perspective and in a variety of media. Tierney said there will be work “hanging on the walls, standing on the floor and hanging from the ceiling.”
Tierney’s paintings examine social interaction, etiquette and body language, while Goodship’s large watercolours look at the way humans communicate with the natural world.
“I go out walking every day and I notice that when I’m able to be quiet and really look at things, I start seeing things differently and I start noticing things that I wouldn’t normally when I just go by,” Goodship said. “So it really has to do with taking time and looking and listening and perceiving what’s there.”
Chang-Kue has created installations comprised of ceramic sculpture and digital video projection. She said she’s using the concept of conversation to look at the ways people relate to each other and the world.
Tierney said the trio’s year-long collaborative effort has been a rewarding experience.
“We’ve got a common goal with different approaches, but just getting together and expressing excitement or frustration over the artistic process and having someone be able to give you feedback has been really beneficial to all of us,” she said.
WHAT’S ON … Opening reception and artist talk for Conversari takes place at VIU’s View Gallery on Jan. 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. Show continues until Feb. 22.
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