Thaddeus Holownia: The Heart of the Bird

Thaddeus Holownia: The Heart of the Bird
in memory of Gay Hansen
February 28 – April 10, 2024

This exhibition presents the work of acclaimed photographer Thaddeus Holownia. The photographs are testaments to the vital role that collaboration plays in the artist’s practice:  with the author Harry Thurston, and Holownia’s late wife, Gay Hansen. Many of the works stemmed from close observation of bird skins prepared by Hansen in her ornithology lab, while other works resulted in literary collaboration with Thurston.

Holownia takes a slow approach to his photography; where the same site is documented and revisited, sometimes over decades. In this exhibition, the photographs capture moments in the lives of birds: from the construction of nests, to the fragility of bird eggs, to the close up of feathers, encouraging viewers to engage in the process of focused looking. Observation is central to the artist’s practice, but also for the audience. They are invited to pause and reflect on the photographs: a contemplation of nature, time and life.
Curator: Dr Laurie Dalton

Please join us for the exhibition opening on March 1st, 7pm.
An artist talk will be presented on March 16th: 2pm.

Artist Bio:
Thaddeus Holownia, is a visual artist, letterpress printer and publisher. During his 41-year career as a professor of art and as the head of the fine art department at Mount Allison University, he had a major influence on a generation of young artists.Through his art Thaddeus Holownia explores the intersections of the natural world and humanity that form a particular presence in both the panoramic landscape and detailed observations. Drawn to the markings and symbols that arise from these encounters, he returns to a place or subject, sometimes over years to photograph, thus creating an accumulation of transformation and disappearance. The meaning that resides in these bodies of work goes beyond mere visual description: they stand as a history of the play between human intervention and the beauty or sorrow of life. The results are anecdotes of ordinary places and metaphors for our relationship to place and the environment.

Holownia’s artwork has been the subject of numerous exhibitions, including most recently, of a feather at Art Toronto, The Nature of Nature at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia; The Lintels of Paris at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery; 24 Tree Studies for Henry David Thoreau at the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington New York.
He is a Fulbright Fellow, an elected Fellow of The Royal Society of Canada and the Royal Canadian Academy of the Arts.  He was named to the Order of New Brunswick in 2015.

30th Acadia Art Exhibition

Do you Know Your ABC's?

July 6 — December 10, 2023

This exhibition takes inspiration from alphabet books as a way to explore highlights of the permanent collection at Acadia. Established in 1978, the Acadia University Art Gallery has a permanent collection of over 3,000 art objects. The exhibition presents well-known artists from the collection, such as Alex Colville and Mary Pratt, alongside rarely exhibited objects from the collection, such as portrait miniatures and Chinese silks.  In addition the exhibition includes recent acquisitions of BIPOC artists, including Kent Monkman, Robert Houle and Deanna Bowen.

'Do you know your ABC's?' explores the collection as a living entity: a place for dialogue, discourse and discovery.

Curated by: Dr Laurie Dalton

Laura Kenney: Judy - Valley Edition

February 15 — April 6, 2023

Acadia University Art Gallery invites you to the new exhibit “JUDY: Valley Edition”, by artist Laura Kenney, which focuses on three main themes: feminism, environmentalism and Nova Scotia through the art of Rug Hooking. The 40 rugs hung on the gallery walls depict an adventurous, courageous and outspoken character called Judy. This character is always seen with fiery red hair tied up in a bun, a signature black dress indicating readiness for a funeral at a moments notice, and stellar red boots with attitude to stomp change everywhere she goes.

Artist, Laura Kenney, invites viewers into the realm of Judy which explores topics that are familiar to ours in the real world. Artist Laura Kenney uses Judy as an alter ego or superhero-like figure to bring awareness to topics such as environmentalism and feminism. She is able to work through frustrations and anxieties through Judy, on issues revolving around climate change and women feeling invisible— especially mothers. Judy echoes the history of pro-active feminists that want to make a change and aren’t afraid to shake things up.

The art of rug hooking has its own power and message to the artist. Hooking has been widely used by women throughout history to express their feelings and the environment around them, however, women would in turn lose their voice through the introduction of rug hooking patterns. These patterns were widely repeated throughout many households and thus in turn led to creative restrictions and or limitations placed upon women according to Kenney. This is something that she wants to change in the hooking community. Kenney’s vision is to bring back the endless possibilities that rug hooking can lend to.

Curated by: Dr Laurie Dalton

Miya Turnbull: Inward, Outwards

November 12, 2022 — February 9, 2023

"I am drawing from the traditional uses of masks worn for disguise, transformation and protection, as well as a metaphor for persona, archetypes and identity. Each different self-portrait is a way I can explore variations, my experiences, perceptions, inner world and my mixed Japanese Canadian heritage, making these visible, tangible and wearable. Ironically, I am placing my likeness on the front of the mask at the same time concealing my face behind it. I can then manipulate how you see me and reveal only certain parts of me. I'm particularly interested in the liminal space between defined margins; private vs public (what we present to the world and what we hide), ‘beauty’ vs 'grotesque' (shifting or blurring the line between), and bi-racial identity (duality and 'in-between-ness')." – Miya Turnbull, artist statement

Curated by: Dr Laurie Dalton

Annual Acadia Art Exhibition

September 17 – October 22, 2022

Thinking of the best way to celebrate this occasion, and realizing it has been now three! years since the presentation of the much beloved community art exhibition (normally held in January). We have decided that for 2022-2023 year that our Annual Community Art Exhibition will be held at a special time this September! We are excited to see all our community members and the work you have created, and to celebrate the creative vibrancy in our community.

Opening reception on September 17th, 7pm.

Submission dates September 10th and 11th: 10am -3pm. This is a non-juried exhibition, any gallery member can submit up to three works. Not a member - you can join when you drop off artwork.

You can fill out submission forms in person, or can download one here.