About the exhibition

Conceptualized and curated by Krystal Paraboo, Roots Revealed serves as a process of challenging the systemic inadequacies of colonial arts institutions in British Columbia by expanding their geographical and cultural scope of artists trained in a contemporary visual arts practice.

This exhibition showcases the works and techniques of eight artists of the Caribbean diaspora, who work in a range of materials with a synthesized cultural influence. By revealing the artistic and ethnic roots of each artist, we simultaneously unveil the socio-political barriers placed on Caribbean contemporary artists and the unwillingness to restructure or challenge stereotypes. Despite the seeds being planted by colonialism, the roots thrive and grow into independent, tantalizing mechanisms of permanence that challenge the discourse of contemporary art simply through existence.

About the exhibition

Start with Art is a unique exhibition that focuses on encouraging young people to appreciate, collect, and curate their own art collection – with a special price list just for kids 16 and younger.

For this 16th annual exhibition the Seymour Art Gallery assembled a fantastic group of established artists who work in a variety of media and artwork in the gallery is hung at “kids-eye-view,” making Start with Art truly kid-centric. Through our exhibition publication, exhibiting artists also offer advice for budding artists and frequently spark the idea in kids that one day their work could be shown in a gallery, too.

About Modus

Modus is a coffee company and roaster based in Vancouver, BC, with a shop in the heart of the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. Well-respected and fast-growing, they focus on ethical sourcing from purpose-driven producers.

Artist statement

Disruptions is a series of twenty highly-detailed pen and ink drawings interrupted by rectangular voids. The work looks toward our relationship with the natural world and a shared desire to seek connection with an environment that is collapsing. We want to see more but can’t since our view is obstructed, whether it is by something in between or because the scene is disappearing altogether.  

This body of work reflects upon the climate crisis we slide deeper into each day, with a calm eye, a gradual loss of hope, and a tireless effort to persevere all that it can. The voids can be seen as spaces where something has been removed, but they also allow space to grow. Nature will always be present, and once it is given the time and space for regrowth, it will find balance.