One of the new exhibits at the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum (EAGM) has a unique local connection.
A reception was held Friday night at the EAGM for Consumed by Manitoba artist Lisa Wood, who was in attendance to discuss her work. Wood used time-lapse photography of people eating in various situations to get the viewers to think about what they and how they feel about it.
“This series began as a conversation between Lisa and I when she was questioning what kind of food-specific gatherings are unique to Estevan,” said Amber Andersen, the curator-director of the EAGM.
Andersen suggested wing night, which is offered at many pubs and restaurants in the city on Wednesday nights.
Wood brought together Andersen, gallery programming co-ordinator Karly Garnier, board member Amber Ganje and local artist Byron Fichter to eat wings in the EAGM. She photographed them consuming the popular food, and then created large-scale paintings of them that were incorporated into her exhibit.
Wood said she is interested in social interactions and how food makes them easier and more comfortable for people.
“While we’re eating food, we’re often disengaging from what’s going on around us. It brings us together, but it also is a moment where we’re not engaged in social acting,” said Wood.
She likes to bring local people into her exhibits as well.
“I love being able to make work that responds to the place. I think it’s exciting to get to know different communities and I think that the communities respond really well to it. It’s more interesting for me if I can get to know a few people and then re-present them in their spaces.”
An opening celebration was also held Friday for Andrzej Maciejewski’s exhibit V.I.P., which stands for Very Important Potato. While Maciejewski was unable to attend, Andersen noted it features black and white, portrait-style photos of potatoes.
“The potato becomes a worthy subject of study and masterful photography,” said Andersen.
The next edition of the Mercury will have more on the reception.
