Varley Art Gallery to launch new exhibitions
The Varley Art Gallery of Markham invites you to celebrate the launch of Karen Kar Yen Law: Better Bitter, Beneath the Surface and The Printmaker’s Matrix at its Winter Exhibitions Opening Reception.
Drop in to the free reception, which takes place Saturday, Jan. 25 from 2 to 4 p.m., with a smudging ceremony beginning at 1:45 p.m. Engage with talks by the artists and curator, get creative with family-friendly printmaking activities and enjoy a Chinese lion dance performance. Snacks and drinks will be served.
Markham-based artist Karen Kar Yen Law works primarily with monoprints, blending the structured layers of printmaking with the fluid expressiveness of painting. Law’s work is deeply shaped by her Chinese heritage, particularly its cuisine, where balance in flavour—such as the transformation of bitterness—is essential. In her latest work, the bitter melon serves as a symbol for exploring the concept of bitterness, both as a flavour and an emotional experience. Learn more here.
Beneath the Surface features the works of Emma Nishimura and Gayle Uyagaqi Kabloona, who use printmaking to explore culture, family and identity. Nishimura’s practice delves into themes of memory, loss and resilience, focusing on her family’s experiences during the internment of Japanese Canadians in the Second World War. Kabloona, inspired by her Inuit heritage and artistic lineage, celebrates her identity while questioning it, blending tradition with contemporary exploration.
Step into the world of printmaking in The Printmaker’s Matrix, a group exhibition featuring works from the Varley’s permanent collection. Inspired by the shows in the Main Gallery, this installation invites you to explore techniques and behind-the-scenes efforts of printmaking.
Each of the exhibitions run from January 25 to May 4 at the Varley Art Gallery of Markham, which is located at 215 Main St., Unionville. It’s open Tuesday to Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.