Gallery@501 invites you to experience the force of nature

Discover an exciting array of artwork that reveals the incredible forces within nature and the human-made impacts of electronic technology upon our environment.

Strathcona County is pleased to present a new fall art exhibition, “A Force of Nature,” featuring artworks from two Canadian artists, Darren Emenau from Saint John, New Brunswick, and Twyla Exner from Prince George, British Columbia. The exhibit opens at Gallery@501 on October 20 and shows until December 1, 2023.

“It is important to us to share a diverse range of perspectives and stories so that visitors can find connection and inspiration through the visual arts,” says Kris Miller, Gallery@501 Curator. “We’re excited to feature the work of two Canadian artists who explore important themes of nature, technology and environmental responsibility using unique materials our viewers may not expect to see in a gallery.”

Visitors will step inside an immersive experience that combines art and science accompanied by nature soundscapes and hands-on activities. This exhibit includes ceramics, recycled electronic technology sculptures, and colourful drawings.

Darren Emenau's artwork explores the powerful force of water which over time, erodes, creates holes and sculpts the surface of rocks. Emenau pushes the traditional boundaries of ceramic sculpture through the exploration of surface treatment, form and abstraction. Using locally sourced clays from New Brunswick, Emenau experiments with textures and coloured glazes inspired by forms found along the coastline.

Twyla Exner is inspired by the wonders of nature. Creating lively drawings and repurposing recycled materials to form installations of sculptures, Exner proposes hybrids of technological structures and living organisms. Exner explores the human impacts of electronic technology which creates waste, sculpts the landscape and erodes our ability to prioritize the planet over a never-ending cycle of outdated and ever evolving technology.

The public is invited to join the exhibiting artists at a special artist talk and reception on Friday, October 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Gallery@501. This event and admission to the gallery is free. For more information, visit strathcona.ca/ArtGallery.

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Contact: Strathcona County Communications, 780-410-6595 www.strathcona.ca