The exhibit "Self Reflection," an exhibit of works by artists Kelsey Holzli, Aretha Laverne, Matthew Stewart & Aurel Tchoumo-Tsafack, has arrived in our library. There are guides available in the library so you can learn more about the individual works.
Every guide comes with an educational section, great for teachers and home-school families.
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Curatorial Statement from 2024-2025 TREX booking Catalogue
Curated by Jamie-Lee Cormier and organized by the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie.
Identity is the set of qualities, beliefs, personality traits, appearance, and/or expressions that characterize a person or a group. Identity emerges during childhood as children start to comprehend their self-concept and it remains a consistent aspect throughout different stages of life.¹ When you view a piece of artwork, you are being exposed to a part of the artist’s identity. The piece is a creation of memory, experience, feeling and more as the artist brings you into their world.
The four artists in Self Reflection employ unique ways of expressing their identities in the works on display while allowing the viewer to reflect and even relate them to their own identity. Kelsey Holzil’s artistic identity is composed of personal and collective experiences in relation to trauma, healing, gender expression and nature, using a vibrant colour pallet in their work. When Matthew Stewart creates, artistic identity is an amalgamation of his experiences with place, memory, and trauma while using a narrative painterly style. Aurel Tchoumo-Tsafack and Aretha Laverne bring their cultural identities into their vibrant paintings, referencing artifacts, design, pattern and stories from their African heritage.