A new exhibition offers a clash of perspectives on how nature is responding to a rapidly changing climate. On now until June 30 at Ferry Building Gallery in West Vancouver, Is This Too Frivolous? is a thought-provoking exhibition featuring the works of two distinct yet complementary artists: Marlene Lowden and Asta Kovanen. The two artists were chosen to exhibit together because of their unique perspectives and their works’ visual and thematic overlaps, said Leigh-Anne Niehaus, community arts supervisor at the Ferry Building.
The combination created a rich, cohesive narrative that is sure to intrigue and engage visitors, she said. Lowden, a Sunshine Coast artist, is inspired by the forest and the ocean in her off-kilter paintings. “The organic forms of nature are just part of my DNA, so when I think about something that looks esthetically pleasing or curious, it’s nature-based,” she said.
In her works, Lowden questions whether there is still room for beauty in a world filled with negativity, chaos and conflict. “Sometimes, as an artist, it’s challenging to decide whether to create something that feels beautiful or to focus on a message with social, economic, or political significance. It’s an ongoing dialogue within myself and probably for many artists throughout history: Should I paint what feels true to me or create something that may not seem necessary but could offer humour or joy?” Lowden said.
Kovanen’s photographic collages, on the other hand, are inf.
