article content
Indigenous stories and mental health will be the next focus of Gallery@501’s latest exhibitions highlighting Canadian artists.
article content
Nelson White’s ‘Ni’kmaq – My Family’ and ‘Resilience’, featuring artwork by Margaret Witschl and Delio Delgado, opened this week on Tuesday 22nd August and runs through 7th October.
article content
White is from St. John’s, Newfoundland and is a member of the Flat Bay First Nation Band (No’kmaq Village). “Ni’kmaq – My Family” is an exhibition featuring powerful portraits dealing with indigenous identity, family and community.
The exhibition tells stories about the strong bonds that have been formed with extended families and communities, and the networks that have been formed beyond the traditional ‘nuclear family’.
According to Gallery@501, White presents a contemporary perspective on Indigenous art and invites viewers to expand their understanding of what it means to be an Indigenous person today.
article content
A native of Edmonton, Witschl’s images in Resilience serve as a navigational tool to support her mental well-being. The gallery said the relatable symbols and images in her artwork show how she navigates fears of unpredictability, uncertainty and health implications, which she also encourages to inspire others on their own mental health journeys.
Delgado, from Hamilton, Ontario, is exhibiting large-scale abstract paintings that offer insight into his reflections on mortality and healing.
Gallery@501 said Delgado is facing a potentially fatal illness and isolation and his artwork embodies recovery and resilience. The gallery said his work consists of collaged layers with maps, geometric shapes and expressive colors.
The gallery, located at 120-501 Festival Avenue, is also hosting a special artist talk and reception on Friday, September 8th to give the public an opportunity to hear from the artists.
Admission to the gallery is free and participation in the special artist talk and reception is also free of charge.
For more information, see strathcona.ca/gallery501.
tdosser@postmedia.com
twitter.com/travisdosser
“Travel aficionado. Twitter scholar. Writer. Extreme coffee guru. Evil pop culture fanatic.”