A truly exceptional exhibit of artwork has been circulating the western provinces for the past few months and opens at the Campbell River Museum today.
Not only is the work exceptional, but the artists who produced the work did so with the intent of giving to a cause. In this case, the cause is one that has been taken up by participants in the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign – launched by the Stephen Lewis Foundation to financially assist grandmothers in Africa caring for children orphaned by HIV and AIDS.
The Royal City Gogos of New Westminster (gogo means grandmother in Zulu) is the group behind this latest exhibit. Local grandmothers will be in attendance throughout the show, and will be selling their Kazuri jewellery at the Museum on the 6th and 7th.
Maria Box of the Comox Valley is one of five artists who produced textile work for the multi-media show called Celebrating African Grandmothers, Heroes of the Continent. In total, 35 artists worldwide participated and 40 pieces were produced.
Box heard about the opportunity to participate through her membership with Comox Valley Glacier Grannies and was involved with the previous travelling show, Turning the Tide, one ripple at a time. Box has been sewing from an early age, acquiring her first sewing machine at the age of six. She began as a textile artist but took up quilting to develop discipline in her art. Her work and methods are unusual as she uses recycled clothing and synthetic fabrics to produce her work, and teaches her methods to others.
The piece of art she contributed to this show, entitled Sisters took her about two months to make. She found inspiration for the work from the notion that in Third World countries, many people subsist on the three sisters – corn, squash and beans. It proved to be a fitting allegory for the collaborative nature of working on the art show with a group of similar minded ladies who, she says, are highly motivated and hard workers.
Barb Taylor was one of her students and was thrilled to have her piece chosen for this juried art show, as it was her first attempt at producing textile art. She says that she is “awed by the generosity” of all who are involved. The art work will be on view until Sunday, July 14. Admission to the Museum at Campbell River gallery is by donation, and the Museum is open daily from 10-5pm. For further information call 250-287-3103. Examples of the pieces can be seen on the Museum website at www.crmuseum.ca.