TRANSCENDENCE Thinking Beyond the Present

An exhibition of student artists, organized by the Black Student Association
at UBC Okanagan.

This exhibition was organized as part of Black History Month events at UBCO in the FINA gallery from February 12 to 22, 2024. Below is a list of the artists, statements and images of their work.

Anonymous

“Okpu isi-agu,” the ‘red cap’ worn by Chiefs in Igboland, represents the entire institution of leadership, authority, and power within Igbo society. Each stitch tells a story of ancestral wisdom, each hue a testament to the enduring legacy of kingship, both past and present. Resting upon the brow, it commands attention, signifying more than just a hat, but the very essence of leadership, tradition, and the resilient spirit of a community. But here, amidst the tapestry of tradition, a new narrative emerges—one of unapologetic celebration, where every boy is a king in his own right.

Peter Idoko

I am a 3rd year undergrad student majoring in Computer Science in the Faculty of Arts and Minoring in Management. My art journey has been long and tumultuous, to say the least. I have been making art for as long as I can remember, drawing inspiration from family and friends alike. I did, however, take a break for some time due to academic and life commitments during which I lost some of my touch. Art has always been a safe space for me be it through music, writing, or visual art. I have always found being able to pick up the pen cathartic and freeing. The time I spent off it was regrettable, as such, I am trying to regain that touch I once had, the creativity, the passion, all of that. Art is life and life is art, I hope I always remember that.

 

 Kiki Mobolaji

Welcome to my world of imagery! I’m Kiki, a street photographer hailing from Calgary, Alberta. I began my journey with photography on a Nikon camera about 3 years ago. When my best friend introduced me to film photography a year later, I found a new passion and dedicated more time to studying the art. As a consequence, I became very fascinated by the unique and timeless aesthetic of film photography and vintage film cameras. Among my camera collection, the Rollei 35 S stands out for its sharpness and compact functionality. Besides my wallet or phone, I must take a camera with me every time I leave my house.

Keklevi Ansah

This painting represents the timelessness of black culture and tradition. The man at the center dances Bawa, a traditional dance from Northern Ghana. He wears a traditional attire called batakari, a Ghanian smock. In what seems to be the wrong place and time, his culture and tradition still thrives

Hamerenoah Taye

This is an homage to my hair. We have not always had a loving relationship but I’m happy to say we are now the best of friends. This is a collection of photos that showcase all the different hairstyles I have done in the past. It is in a collage style to commemorate my “hair-love” journey. I used printing paper, glue, and an old canvas that needed some love. Hair is a big part of black culture, as it is back home in Ethiopia as well. When moving here to Turtle Island (aka Canada) at the age of 8, it was a culture shock to be what it felt like the only coily hair representation around me. Watch me as I learn to hold my crown up high.

Marco Adriko

Marco Tiyo Adriko is a 21 year old University student from Kampala, Uganda. He is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna, Canada. He is an amateur writer and has had some of his pieces published in student-led literary journals and magazines. His work is inspired by Maggie Nelson, Toni Morrisson and Taiye Selasi. More of his work can be found on @mvarcostudio and @sxynergy on Instagram.

 

Chidera Onuorah

My name is Chidera Onuorah and I am a Nigerian Artist, my main medium of art is digital art and it’s been like this for years due to just how accessible it is to me. Inspirations for a lot of my art stem from the anime, cartoons, and comics I digested since I was a youngin. To no one’s surprise  as a black person I never really saw characters that looked like me so a lot of my art is making black characters that can do really cool stuff and can end up in an anime or cartoon like I wished to see back then. Hope these pieces make you as a black person feel like you can do anything. ~ LostBoy :/

 

Deborah Edoho

My name is Deborah Edoho, and I’m in my fourth year of psychology BSC. Growing up, I had always been interested in art, drawing characters and writing stories to go along with them. As I got older, drawing became an endeavour much like working out, as each time, I would strive to exercise my skills, learn new techniques, and become better at drawing. Unfortunately, since school became more of a priority for me, I did indulge in drawing a lot less. Despite my decreased interest in drawing, art still holds a special place in my heart, providing me a way to express myself and release all my thoughts and ideas onto the page.

 

Absolutely No Ink Area: VISA 336 Advanced Practice in Printmaking

“Absolutely No Ink Area” is an exhibition curated from this year’s VISA 336 Advanced Practice in Printmaking course at UBCO. Students have been working diligently to find their voice and unique perspectives through the medium of print, while also developing their technical craft. This upper-level fine arts course encourages students to experiment with new print media and combine methods from previous courses.

 

Join us in celebrating their accomplishments thus far.

 

In Search of Lost Memories by Ziv Wei

Ziv Wei is a fourth year BFA student. In this exhibition, In Search of Lost Memories In Search of Lost Memories, Ziv deconstructs and reimagines nostalgia by providing new contexts for found vernacular family photos and frames.

This exhibition is on view in the Members’ Gallery of the Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art until February 10, 2024.

For more information please visit the show in person or at the Alternator’s page.

Second Nature

Second Nature features a selection of works from Okanagan based artists Csetkwe Fortier (Syilx/Secwépemc) and David Doody in addition to works from UBC Okanagan’s Public Art Collection by Jordan Bennett (Mi’kmaw), Judy Gouin and Judith Schwarz.

Curated by Ryan Trafananko and Tania Willard, UBC Okanagan Gallery’s newly appointed director  Second Nature explores how the complex visual patterns of the natural world are referenced in contemporary art and cultural identities. The exhibition features a variety of mediums from printmaking to sculpture to painting that highlight the links between organic and industrial structures.

Read more about the artists HERE.

Wander // Katya Meehalchan

Katya Meehalchan is a UBC BFA graduate. This work of hers is being shown at the Member’s Gallery of the Alternator Gallery, to

www.alternatorcentre.com

Meehalchan’s work captivates through its interplay of mediums. Her prints evoke a sense of nostalgia, bridging the past and present, while her multimedia collages challenge the boundaries of traditional artistic forms. Her installations immerse viewers in thought provoking environments, inviting them to engage with her narrative in a tangible way.

Meehalchan seeks to create an environment packed with delicate details that allows for many access points for the viewer to relate to through the sense of nostalgia or curiosity. Her work is representative of the feeling of going through a vintage store, or estate sale and experiencing a sense of wonder or curiosity that lies in objects that hold a personalized history.

Ludonarrative Dissonance – 4th yr BFA mid-year exhibition – group 2

Ludonarrative Dissonance is the exhibition title for the second group of 4th yr BFA student’s mid-year show. This exhibit feature the work of:

Fengyu Lu
Ari Pielecki
Wayne Zie
Thom Ayling
Ziv Wei
Nick Tai
Katja Ewart
Serena Arseneault
Audrey Allan
Aliana Voshell
Amy Marui

On Exhibit at the RCA: Selected Works

Selected works from Patrick Lundeen advanced painting class (VISA 312) are featured at theThe Rotary Centre for the Arts!

On exhibition are works from:
Serena Arsenault
Taylor Carpenter
Paige Coleman
Ella Cottier
Nadia Fracy
Hailey Gleboff
Stephen Ikesaka
Lauren Johnson
Rhea Kjargaard
Connor McCleary
Mariah Miguel-Juan
Kate Nicholson
Damla Ozkalay
Hannah Palomera
John (Jack) Prendas
Sara Richardson
Fredrik Thacker
Christine Wakal
Odelle Walthers

 

ephemeroptera – 4th yr BFA mid-year exhibition – group 1

Twenty-three 4th yr BFA students are showcasing their mid-year work in two separate exhibitions. This first group’s exhibition, ephemeroptera features the following students:

Cloud Angel
Eunis Au
Carmen Bouvier
Chandler Burnett
Taylor Carpenter
Jenna Cooper
Lauren Johnson
Karina Nardi
Hannah Palomera
Shelley Sproule
Katya Torin
Christine Wakal

Constructing Perspectives: Three-Dimensional Art Practices

Constructing Perspectives showcases sculptures created through a skill-building, iterative process. Guided by principles of Constructivism, students explore how meaning is conveyed through abstracted form and materiality in sculpture.

The process involves engagement in research and the creation of sketches, maquettes, and prototypes leading to the development of final works made from plywood and steel. A primary endeavour in the process is the strengthening of wood and metal shop skills and practices.

VISA 104: Instructor, Crystal Przybille