What: A Mixed B.A.G.
Where: Brackendale Art Gallery
When: Running until June 13
Bells, bowls, pears, Geishas and chain mail.
Its not an obscure Kurt Vonnegut reference. The current exhibit at the Brackendale Art Gallery (the exhibit title refers to the venues initials) literally displays all of the above.
Archly elegant Geisha paintings by Vancouvers Dakota Hamilton, warm turned wood creations by Martin Thorne of Squamish, stone sculptures depicting gigantic pieces of fruit by Brackendales James Pereira, intricate hand-made chain mail creations by Acorn, also of Brackendale in theory its a yard sale. In Brackendale there is an uncanny order.
Acorns Medieval pieces fit perfectly with Thornes wooden grails. Hamiltons use of metallic leaf ties into Acorns chain mail. At the same time Hamiltons Asian theme flows beautifully into Thornes calm Bonsai-like pieces.
Thornes simple yellow cedar pears fit in the palm of the hand, miniature versions of Pereiras surreal pieces across the room. One of Thornes pears held up to the eye in deliberate perspective skewing proximity a la the Kids in the Halls Head Crusher makes it equal to Pereiras massive creations.
Gallery owner Thor Froslevs sturdy handcrafted bells anchor the exhibit.
Open since 1973, Froslev developed the gallery/theatre/teahouse and chapel as a reaction to the insular Vancouver gallery scene. The spirit of those times persists: the warm wooden interior lends itself to eclectic fare and the current exhibit emphasizes what can happen when convention is thrown to the wind.
A Mixed B.A.G. will be on display until June 13. The gallery is open weekends and statutory holidays.
For more information on the gallery go to www.brackendaleartgallery.com.