[BCMA] [MEDIA RELEASE] Artist creates extraordinary works reimagined from the everyday

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv]

For Immediate Release


Artist creates extraordinary works reimagined from the everyday


José Luis Torres: HANDMADE

May 10, 2025 to May 2026



May 8, 2025 - Kelowna, BC:  Okanagan audiences will soon have the chance to see a towering new art installation at the Kelowna Art Gallery that reimagines ordinary materials and transforms them into something extraordinary.



The artist behind the work is Quebec City-based Argentine sculptor José Luis Torres, whose work has been shown and celebrated in public spaces and art institutions across Canada. The art installation, titled HANDMADE, can be found in the open-air Courtyard space located at the heart of the Gallery building. It opens to the public on May 10, 2025.



Through playful, evolving environments, José Luis Torres enjoys challenging conventional exhibition standards and the idealized image of the artist. HANDMADE continues this exploration between location, materials, and the viewer in a delightfully engaging way, which is sure to spark the curiosity of Gallery-goers.



Visitors will encounter a structure that rises on stilts above a foundation built from old wooden pallets. The small domicile-like building is constructed almost entirely from window frames, doors, and a substantial amount of glass. Peering in from the perimeter it looks almost maze-like in its complexity within. Torres' artistic practice involves appropriating space and materials from everyday life-like all the doors, windows, pallets, and other items that were locally sourced from individuals-and then given the freedom to evolve and take form through spontaneous hands-on actions. His work reflects themes of survival, workforce, and the value of objects as both fundamental and incidental.



José Luis Torres is an Argentine artist who has been based in Québec City since 2003. He holds degrees in visual arts, sculpture, and architecture. His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions, including at Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Museum London, and the UCCS Gallery of Contemporary Art.



An Opening Reception will be held on Friday, May 9, 2025, from 6 to 8 pm at the Kelowna Art Gallery. The artist will be in attendance, and the public is welcome to attend.



José Luis Torres: HANDMADE runs from May 10, 2025, to May of 2026.



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.

- 30 -



Image Credits



Installation progress photographs of artist José Luis Torres working on HANDMADE at the Kelowna Art Gallery, May 2025.



Resources



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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelownaartgallery

José Luis Torres Website: https://www.joseluistorres.ca/en/expositions/index.php

José Luis Torres' IG: https://www.instagram.com/torres_artista<https://www.instagram.com/torres_artista/>



Interviews with artist José Luis Torres in person on May 8-9 can be arranged. Contact: Josh Desnoyers, Marketing Coordinator.



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.



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



Joshua Desnoyers (he/him)

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>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.museum.bc.ca/pipermail/listserv-museum.bc.ca/attachments/20250508/24810cf4/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: PR1_HANDMADE_in_progress_Kelowna_Art_Gallery_May_2025.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 1535887 bytes
Desc: PR1_HANDMADE_in_progress_Kelowna_Art_Gallery_May_2025.jpg
URL: <http://lists.museum.bc.ca/pipermail/listserv-museum.bc.ca/attachments/20250508/24810cf4/attachment.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: PR2_Jose_Luis_Torres_Kelowna_Art_Gallery_May_2025.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 1212939 bytes
Desc: PR2_Jose_Luis_Torres_Kelowna_Art_Gallery_May_2025.jpg
URL: <http://lists.museum.bc.ca/pipermail/listserv-museum.bc.ca/attachments/20250508/24810cf4/attachment-0001.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: PR3_HANDMADE_in_progress_Kelowna_Art_Gallery_May_2025.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 1446949 bytes
Desc: PR3_HANDMADE_in_progress_Kelowna_Art_Gallery_May_2025.jpg
URL: <http://lists.museum.bc.ca/pipermail/listserv-museum.bc.ca/attachments/20250508/24810cf4/attachment-0002.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: PR4_HANDMADE_in_progress_Kelowna_Art_Gallery_May_2025.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 1081158 bytes
Desc: PR4_HANDMADE_in_progress_Kelowna_Art_Gallery_May_2025.jpg
URL: <http://lists.museum.bc.ca/pipermail/listserv-museum.bc.ca/attachments/20250508/24810cf4/attachment-0003.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Media Release -- Jos? Luis Torres opens at Kelowna Art Gallery.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 185067 bytes
Desc: Media Release -- Jos? Luis Torres opens at Kelowna Art Gallery.pdf
URL: <http://lists.museum.bc.ca/pipermail/listserv-museum.bc.ca/attachments/20250508/24810cf4/attachment.pdf>