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<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For Immediate Release
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Artist creates extraordinary works reimagined from the everyday<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">José Luis Torres: HANDMADE<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black">May 10, 2025 to May 2026
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">May 8, 2025 – Kelowna, BC:
</span></b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The artist behind the work is Quebec City-based Argentine sculptor
<b>José Luis Torres</b>, whose work has been shown and celebrated in public spaces and art institutions across Canada. The art installation, titled
<b>HANDMADE</b>, 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Through playful, evolving environments, José Luis Torres enjoys challenging conventional exhibition standards and the idealized image of the artist.
<i>HANDMADE</i> continues this exploration between location, materials, and the viewer in a delightfully engaging way, which is sure to spark the curiosity of Gallery-goers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">José Luis Torres</span></b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> 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.
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">An Opening Reception<b>
</b>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.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><i><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">José Luis Torres: HANDMADE</span></i><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> runs from May 10, 2025, to May of 2026.
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">- 30 –<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><u><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Image Credits</span></u><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Installation progress photographs of artist José Luis Torres working on
<i>HANDMADE </i>at the Kelowna Art Gallery, May 2025.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><u><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Resources</span></u><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> Exhibition Webpage:
<span style="color:#666666"><a href="https://kelownaartgallery.com/handmade/">https://kelownaartgallery.com/handmade/</a>
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<p class="MsoPlainText" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Instagram:
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/kelownaartgallery">https://www.instagram.com/kelownaartgallery</a><span style="color:#666666"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">José Luis Torres Website:
<a href="https://www.joseluistorres.ca/en/expositions/index.php">https://www.joseluistorres.ca/en/expositions/index.php</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">José Luis Torres’ IG:
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/torres_artista/">https://www.instagram.com/torres_artista</a>
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<p class="MsoPlainText" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText" style="text-indent:.5in"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Interviews with artist José Luis Torres in person on May 8-9 can be arranged. Contact: Josh Desnoyers, Marketing Coordinator.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><u><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">About the Kelowna Art Gallery <o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><u><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For additional high-res images, or to arrange an interview with the artist, please contact:<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Joshua Desnoyers (he/him)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Marketing and Events Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Kelowna Art Gallery<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">1315 Water Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9R3<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">250-762-2226 ext. 305<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="mailto:josh@kelownaartgallery.com">josh@kelownaartgallery.com</a>
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<p class="MsoPlainText"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><a href="http://www.kelownaartgallery.com">www.kelownaartgallery.com</a>
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