[BCMA] [MEDIA RELEASE] #HopeAndHealingCanada opens at Kelowna Art Gallery

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv]

For Immediate Release


#HopeAndHealingCanada opens at Kelowna Art Gallery


Tracey-Mae Chambers: #HopeandHealingCanada

October 12, 2024 to February 2025



October 10, 2024 - Kelowna, BC:  Since July 2021, Métis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers has crisscrossed the country and created over 150 sculptural installations as part of her ongoing project called #HopeAndHealingCanada. These installations have been displayed at residential school historical sites, museums, art galleries, government buildings, and countless other public spaces. Now Okanagan residents and visitors can experience it here, when it opens at the Kelowna Art Gallery this weekend.



#HopeAndHealingCanada is a hand-crafted large-scale textile installation that uses red wool, silk, and cotton yarn that has been crocheted, knit, or woven. The installation takes a different form in every space that the artist works in, however the project's aim remains the same. Many of these spaces serve to present a colonial viewpoint and primarily speak about the settlers who arrived and lived there, but not the Indigenous people that were displaced along the way.



"Red is the colour of blood. Red is the slur against Indigenous people. Red is the colour of passion and anger, danger and power, courage and love," says artist Tracey-Mae Chambers. "I am hoping to bridge the gap between settlers and First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people by creating art that is approachable and non-confrontational and starting a conversation about decolonization and reconciliation."



The large-scale artwork can be viewed in the outdoor Courtyard Space in the heart of the Kelowna Art Gallery. Visitors are invited to contemplate the work while seated on chairs that have been arranged within the space.



"Ultimately, #hopeandhealingcanada symbolizes history and hope and serves as a catalyst for reflection," adds Tracey Mae Chambers. "It reminds us of the strength in community bonds and serves as an invitation for understanding between Indigenous and settler communities."



#HopeandHealingCanada runs from October 12, 2024 to February of 2025.



An opening reception for the exhibition is planned for October 11, 2024, from 6 to 8 pm. This event is free and open to the public to attend. The artist will be in attendance.

The Kelowna Art Gallery is located at 1315 Water Street in the heart of Kelowna's Culture District. For more information visit kelownaartgallery.com or call 250-762-2226.



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About the Kelowna Art Gallery



The Kelowna Art Gallery engages, inspires, and enriches the community it serves through the exhibition, collection, and interpretation of visual art. Work by Canadian artists, both historical and contemporary, are presented in five distinct exhibition spaces. The Kelowna Art Gallery is invested in the idea that art helps to bring people together; and that life is simply better with art in it. Programs for people of all ages and backgrounds help to instill confidence in ones' creativity and to foster meaningful dialogue on matters important to Canadians.



Image Credits



Tracey-Mae Chambers installs #hopeandhealingcanada at the Kelowna Art Gallery, October 2024.



Resources



Exhibition Webpage: https://kelownaartgallery.com/hopeandhealingcanada/

Gallery IG: https://www.instagram.com/kelownaartgallery/

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1037838114472325



For additional high-res images, or to arrange an interview please contact:



Joshua Desnoyers

Marketing and Events Coordinator



Kelowna Art Gallery

1315 Water Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9R3

250-762-2226 ext. 305

josh at kelownaartgallery.com<mailto:josh at kelownaartgallery.com>

www.kelownaartgallery.com<http://www.kelownaartgallery.com>
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