Recognition and Presence
Artist Statement
The Artists of Kelowna: Recognition and Presence exhibition's theme was derived from an open call given to the artists who had their work included on the Artists of Kelowna Instagram page. After viewing the submitted pieces, the Youth Arts Council curated the exhibition, drawing from common themes present in the artists' pieces. Artists of Kelowna: Recognition and Presence explores the place of humans in nature and how we connect to our natural surroundings. We hope to bring a deeper sense of understanding and community through this exhibition, allowing our diverse voices to come together as one.
Artist Biography
Artists of Kelowna was started by the Youth Arts Council, consisting of five Kelowna-based artists, ages 16 -18, who worked in connection with the Rotary Centre for the Arts. The idea was inspired by Humans of New York, a photography proiect that displayed pictures of everyday people along with a segment of their interview. With Artists of Kelowna, instead of displaying photos of the artists, we chose to show their work beside their interview as we believe that art is a visual representation of the person who created it. This project has run since September 2022 on the Instagram page @artistsofkelowna, displaying pieces from people of all ages and from all walks of life.