February in our Main Gallery

Frosted Blues – Christine Kashuba

Christine has been displayed in galleries in the Okanagan since 1997.

This exhibition showcases a series of images that capture winter’s natural elements and playful holiday activities all in tones of blue and white.

Through the medium of cyanotype, she explores the fusion of natural textures, hand­ drawn or painted images, and the dynamic presence of everyday objects animated by sunshine.

“As an artist, I’m a passionate explorer of alternative methods, specializing in cyanotypes and printmaking. Through the medium of cyanotype, I explore the fusion of natural textures, hand­ drawn or painted images, and the dynamic presence of everyday objects animated by sunshine.

“Finding inspiration in human activity and in the boundless beauty of the natural world drives my work. Whether wandering through my yard or exploring the untamed wilderness along nearby trails, I am continually collecting botanical specimens and interesting bits and bobs to incorporate into my art. I was initially inspired to try this process by learning about Anna Atkins who in 1853 combined her passions for scientific inquiry, technological experimentation, and artistic expression into a published book Cyanotypes of British and Foreign Plants and Ferns. My first cyanotypes were purely botanical but now I incorporate a wide variety of objects and imagery into my artwork.”

Christine Kashuba

February Featured Member

Svetlana Shkuratova

Passionate about diffusing boundaries between various art mediums and investigating the moments where they intersect, Svetlana brings together the visual languages of printmaking, ceramics, photography and embroidery to explore themes of home, memory and their protection and preservation.

Home, as a space for emotional and physical refuge, has become fleeting in nature, with people constantly moving from place to place or losing it to wars, natural disasters, misfortunes or simply to the passage of time. Memory of home becomes a symbol of who we are and allows us to understand our past and move forward to the future.

As an immigrant from Russia, she looks back at her homeland and its culture and draws inspiration from traditional Slavic embroidery where each pattern carries a deep symbolic meaning and was believed to ward of misfortune and safeguard against evil. These patterns called “obereg” (talisman, amulet, protector) were embroidered on garments around the neck, chest and arms, the places believed to be most fragile and easily accessible to dark forces.

Next Month

Shuswap Water Thread