Nestled in the heart of Chinatown is the elegant, ambitious, yet modestly sized Access Gallery; an art institution that focuses on showing new work by emergent artists.
Not letting the lack of in-house studio space for artist residencies hold them back, Access Gallery sent four international and local artists out to sea for a twenty-three day journey aboard a cargo ship to traverse the global seaborne freight highway.
One at a time, each artist—Nour Bishouty, Christopher Boyne, Elisa Ferrari and Amaara Raheem—spent nearly a month “in residence” on board while they made the journey from Vancouver to Shanghai, the same trip that many of our clothes and other household items have made as well. These artists are the first of three cohorts to make this trip to produce art works inspired by their experiences at sea.
Image Credit: Christopher Boyne, Geneva, 2016 (wood, paint, brass)
The culminating exhibition called Twenty-Three Days at Sea, Chapter One offers four distinct, witty and deeply personal reflections on an unusual voyage ranging in mediums from text-based works to photography, film, sculpture and audio installations.
As much as it was a physical voyage across a body of water, for each artist it was also an inward journey as time and space blurred among the always-shifting geographical coordinates, passing days and waves. Each of the artists’ works reflect their unique ruminations on recalling or preparing for the trip aboard the vessel.
Limited edition hand sewn and artist signed log book reproductions are available for purchase at Access Gallery. We highly recommend taking a peak into each log book to learn more about the artists’ outward and inward adventures! — Laura Busby
Twenty-Three Days at Sea, Chapter One is on display May 29 – July 16, 2016 at Access Gallery. The project is in partnership with the Contemporary Art Gallery and the Burrard Art’s Foundation.
Admission is free. Open Tuesday – Saturday: 12pm – 5pm
Access Gallery located at 222 East Georgia Street
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