When the public reception for the exhibition “Threshold – a survey of works by Kwantlen Nation artist Brandon Gabriel” is held on Saturday afternoon, April 30, in the Gallery at Centre 64, artist and social justice activist Brandon Gabriel will address those attending, discussing both his art and some of the issues that are currently besetting First Nations and other environmentally conscious British Columbians.
He and his wife and newborn baby will fly up from their home in Fort Langley for the occasion. Gabriel is an instructor in indigenous arts at the University of the Fraser Valley as well as being a historical researcher and arts & culture representative for the Kwantlen First Nation and an honorary member of the anthropology faculty at Kwantlen Polytechnic University where he studied anthropology and visual arts before obtaining his BFA in visual arts from Emily Carr University in 2006. Since then he has exhibited his artworks in the UK, Hong Kong, the USA, and across Canada.
He has also been busy as a social justice activist, participating in protests and opposition to a number of politically charged issues, including making the 1200 km canoe journey from Fort Langley up the inside passage, in the company of other social activists and environmentalists, to protest the Northern Gateway Oil Pipeline. Gabriel’s work in this exhibition includes a number of protest pieces as well as a number of large paintings that stand on the threshold between traditional aboriginal designs and contemporary western art.
“We feel privileged to be able to display Brandon Gabriel’s art at Centre 64,” said Kimberley Arts Council president Mike Redfern. “This is a socially relevant exhibition as well as being a display of fine art.” Invitations have been extended to the Ktunaxa Nation to join others attending the reception on Saturday, April 30, from 2 to 4 p.m., to hear what Gabriel has to say and to enjoy this display of artworks by such a highly acclaimed aboriginal artist.
All Kimberley art lovers and anyone interested in meeting, listening and talking to Brandon Gabriel is invited to attend the reception. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. The exhibition will be open to the public from April 26 to May 21 each Tuesday to Saturday afternoon from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted.