Transcendence: We Come From The Stars at Gallery@501

Strathcona County is proud to present Transcendence, a new exhibition by artist Speplól Tanya Zilinski from Chawathil First Nation, the traditional and unceded land of the Chawathil people, Ts'qó:ls (Hope, BC). The exhibit opens at Gallery@501 on March 10, 2026, and shows until April 23, 2026.

Transcendence is an immersive journey of handmade stories. Tanya’s work uses traditional loom beadwork to create large tapestries that blend Anishinaabe, Ts'qó:ls, and Ukrainian storytelling with universal concepts like geometry, chaos theory, and connection with the natural world. Pieces are sewn onto British Melton wool, reflecting an act of cultural reclamation and resistance. Speplól’s process balances discipline and intuition, resulting in works that are simultaneously ordered and fluid, reflecting the essence of transcendence itself.

The exhibition features three series created between 2020 and 2025. Transcendence is a meditation on the process of becoming and the infinite possibilities awakened through guided intuition and imagination. S'íwes te Tém:éxw (Teachings of the Earth) explores Indigenous science through the geometric forms found in flowers and plants, revealing intricate patterns in the earth. Fusion of Traditions brings storytelling and spiritual practice together with contemporary beadwork, connecting past, present, and future generations.

“Through my hands, guided by spirit, I create beadwork as a living connection to my Ancestors,” says Zilinski. “These tapestries unite two cultures, preserve stories and language, and offer a lens for understanding life’s unpredictability.”

Visitors can participate in Transcendence Ripple Wall: a participatory paper installation exploring pattern and intuition alongside the exhibition.

Join us for a special artist talk and reception with Speplól Tanya Zilinski on Saturday, March 14 at 2 p.m. at Gallery@501 (#120, 501 Festival Avenue). This event and admission to the gallery are free.

For more information, visit strathcona.ca/ArtGallery.

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Contact
Strathcona County Communications
780-410-6595