Vancouver Heritage Art Show and Talk

Last night was the Vancouver Heritage Foundation's art show focusing on the Vancouver painting scene in the 1960's. It was a follow up to last year's event that covered painting in Vancouver in the 1950's. The evening was hosted by the AIBC at their space and featured a talk by Brian Dedora. The show collected works by artists such as Michael Morris, Roy Kiyooka and Ian Wallace among others.

Brian had some excellent insights into the work, including the idea that these artists were drawing more of their influences from 'popular' culture and that this was reflected across the board: not only in painting, but in performance, photography and video art. Brian stressed Kiyooka's importance to the scene, both as an educator and artist and noted that his later photographic works coincided with the start of the Vancouver School of photography.

One of the most interesting things about this evening (and last years' that showed work by Binning, Jarvis, Smith, Thomas etc.) is the chance to see a unique collection of Vancouver art brought together for the first and most likely last time. A one-off show that provides context and allows the works to reflect off each other.

Thanks to the Diane Switzer and the Vancouver Heritage Foundation for shining a light on our local art and history. And thanks to Brian for the research and excellent commentary.