Each year, Two Rivers Gallery develops and circulates an exhibition throughout the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. This year’s exhibition, titled Hold Fast / Let Go: Reflections on Home & Family, features artwork by Frances Gobbi (Prince George), Mo Hamilton (Prince George) and Catherine Ruddell (Revelstoke).
The exhibition will tour between the months of July and September and will be hosted by: Valley Museum and Archives (McBride), Valemout and Area Museum, and Notable Expressions (Mackenzie Community Arts Centre), where it will open on June 28, at 7 p.m.
Hold Fast / Let Go: Reflections on Home & Family, brings together three separate bodies of work that present different investigations on the subjects of home and family, and arise from a combination of objective inquiry and internal consideration. Frances Gobbi’s geometric watercolour and graphite compositions, modelled after the biblical quilt pattern ‘Storm at Sea’, tells the story of navigating the challenges of home-life and motherhood, as well as reconciling personal beliefs with those instilled during her upbringing. Mo Hamilton’s intimate block prints depict houses in curious scenarios, often symbolic of transition. Her work positions home as an experience that is deeply individual and constantly in flux. Catherine Ruddell’s block printed and embroidered canvases feature repeating patterns of various plants inspired by her maternal grandmother’s stories and her own upbringing in Fort St. John. Her work highlights the role that place and family history can play in the forming of one’s identity.
A catalogue will accompany the travelling exhibition as well as a series of workshops. The first workshop, titled Layers of Experience: Block Print & Mixed Media on Textiles, will be led by the artist Catherine Ruddell at the Mackenzie Community Arts Centre on Friday, June 29 from noon to 3:30 p.m. Ruddell will teach participants to design and carve their own linoleum block, print with the block on fabric, and develop their print further using paint and embroidery. Advance registration is required. To register or for more information please contact the Mackenzie Community Arts Centre. Registration fee is $10.00.
Hold Fast / Let Go
Reflections on Home & Family
Frances Gobbi • Mo Hamilton • Catherine Ruddell
Opening Reception:
Thursday, June 28th, 7pm – 8:30pm
Exhibition Dates:
June 28th to July 29th
at Notable Expressions
(Mackenzie Community Arts Centre)
