Arts 2017: Reflections on Canada

The Arts Council of Surrey presents the 33nd juried exhibition showcasing a wide variety of artworks by established and emerging visual artists from across the Lower Mainland. In conjunction with Canada's 150th anniversary, Arts 2017: Reflections on Canada features over forty artworks that consider the ideas, realities, and myths associated with Canada.

This year’s annual juried exhibition invited local artists to share their thoughts and interpretations on our country. While the call to artists encouraged artists to reflect on such themes as the environment, diversity, inclusion, youth, and reconciliation, most of the submissions chose to engage with landscape and the environment. Visitors to the exhibition will see a variety of responses to these themes, both in content and form.

A number of other works play with or challenge iconic Canadian symbols like the beaver, floatplane, and maple leaf flag, while others introduce new imagery and metaphors to consider. Certain artworks highlight the complexity of what it means to be Canadian, questioning what that looks like in our digital age, or what it means from the perspective of a new arrival to the country. From sculptural pieces in fabric, wood, and beads to paintings, drawings, photographs, and mixed media works, there is a little bit of everything for visitors to enjoy.

This annual juried show generates awareness of local artists’ work, and often plays an important role in emerging artists’ professional development. Each year, the jury is charged with nominating artworks to receive first, second, third, and honourable mention awards in the categories of:

• Painting: Works on Canvas
• Painting: Works on Paper
• Drawing
• 2-D Mixed Media & Printmaking
• 3-D Works & Fibre Arts
• Photography & New Media

Works are selected for their technical skill, the demonstration of innovative artistic thinking, and the extent to which they address the theme. ARTS 2017 is organized by the Arts Council of Surrey and presented with the assistance of Surrey Art Gallery.

Read the catalogue for Arts 2017, including artist statements from the selected winners.

Artists: Chandni Ambwani, Hazel Breitkreutz, Victor Bulik, Giovanna Cameron, Elizabeth Carefoot, Florence Carlsen, Cayley Carlson, YoungHwa Cha-Hach, Sidi Chen, Carolina Christ-O'Brien, Joanne Dennis, Nino Dobrosavljevic, Tom Douglas, Martha Edades, Alanna Edwards, Kathleen Gaitt, Dania Ghandi, Katina Giesbrecht, Louise Harding, Tracy Hetherington, Susan Howe, Josephine Jansen, Sandeep Johal, Victor Keohavong, Aqsa Khan, Lorena Krause, Jorma Kujala, Chito Maravilla, Eileen Mathew, Les McKinnon, Tristan Miller, Meriwether Morris, Nina Mudny, Erin Shavaun Mulcahy, Alyzza Nicolas, George Omorean, Carol Pan, Sarah Power, Robert Gary Parkes, Ariel Ricafort, Roland Rihela, Jordan Sailor, Taslim Samji, Christel Sim, Meghan Spence, Tracie Stewart, Margaret Strickland, Lesley Tannen, Jamie Torrebadell, Vivian Tran, Raymund Valerio, Alana Williams, Mandeep Wirk, Ketty Zhang, Karen Kroeker

Curator: Juried
Origin of Exhibition: Arts Council of Surrey

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