Diaries: More Than Words

Dana Justine Belcourt

'Requiem'

Victoria Klassen

'Chapter Sweet'

Artists Dana Justine Belcourt & Victoria Klassen reimagine the diary - a record of our thoughts & encounters as we navigate the world - moving beyond the limits of words into a visceral visual experience.

Dana Justine Belcourt creates a visual archive of their daily life, capturing impressions of people, buildings, graffiti & animals they encounters on daily walks through their Downtown East Side neighbourhood. Seemingly disconnected images overlap like fragments of memories, pulling together what has made an emotional impact on them into sparsely composed surreal dream-scapes. As a woman of Cree & Métis heritage, Belcourt hopes other women of colour will see their own thoughts & feelings about love, displacement, grief & connection reflected in these works.

Victoria Klassen incorporates the notes & drawings left by her late great uncle Clarie into her layered abstract mixed media paintings. Clarie avidly listened to short wave radio & would write musings & make sketches on the things he heard. Photocopies of his notes are worked into her paintings, layered with her own explorations of colour, line work, collage & mark making. Klassen aims to share this unexpected connection she found with Clarie & to give him the voice he was unable to share while alive.

Artists

Watch an engaging conversation with the artists as they share insights into their inspirations & processes.

Plan your visit to the Kay Meek Arts Centre. The exhibition spans the PARK Retirement Living Atrium & lobby to the McEwan Theatre lobby downstairs. Open to visitors Mon - Fri from 10 am - 4 pm & 1 hour before Kay Meek events.