Have you ever visited an exhibition where the artist literally paints onto the walls of the room? You'll get your chance beginning Oct. 4 when the Audain Art Museum unveils Pierced into the air, the temper and secrets crept in with a cry by Russna Kaur.
The show promises to be as eclectic as its name suggests, featuring a myriad of materials like acrylic paint, canvas, wood paneling, oil pastels and textiles. While traditional framed paintings are involved, they will be adapted to interact with their surroundings in an avant-garde manner.
Kaur explains: "The Audain Museum's architecture is really exciting, at least for me. The walls have their quirks, there's interesting angles that were all very purposefully built, the different heights of the ceilings…and the amount of natural light the Upper Gallery gets [is intriguing].
"I will be painting directly on the walls, and in a lot of ways I see that as an extension of my painted surfaces that are going to be hanging on the walls. A lot of times when you hang a work in a space, it changes a space, and at the same time the space also changes the work."
Audain Director and Chief Curator Dr. Curtis Collins informed Kaur that no previous visiting talent has ever rendered parts of their pieces onto a gallery wall or ceiling. These unique, immersive elements will only last until Jan. 27, 2025, when the museum's next show is established.
Regardless, it is a valuable opportunity for Kaur's career.
"It's exciting to have a platform like the Audain," she remarks. "They have works from so many amazing artists across the country, and it's really amazing to be part of that. Just to feel supported by an institution makes a huge difference."
'Like a puzzle'
If Kaur sounds fairly abstract in her creative approach, that's because she intends to be.
"For me, abstraction is a way to think for yourself, which is really exciting and inspiring," she says. "I grew up in a Punjabi household, and as the eldest daughter, speaking your mind isn't always encouraged or met with open arms. My art is an opportunity for me to express myself in one way, but also keep things concealed and not communicate so directly, which has been a lifelong struggle of mine.
"I also utilize a lot of vibrant old colours and contrasting textures. My large scale-paintings, like the ones that will be on display at the Audain, are often [made up of] multiple small surfaces that come together, almost like a puzzle, to create these larger compositions."
Kaur's life journey is somewhat kaleidoscopic, much like her body of work. She once studied biology at the University of Waterloo before switching into the fine arts department. That path in turn led her to the Emily Carr University of Art + Design, where she earned a master's degree.
Science still influences Kaur to an extent. Late nights in the lab reflect the dedication and patience required to create a compelling painting, and any biology major has done their fair share of drawing. While an artist's endeavours bring much more freedom than do the regimented rules of scientific diagrams, Kaur feels her past studies fostered an attention to detail and an interest in that which is more than meets the eye.
The Vancouver resident also did a stint in her family's business: Indian fashion design. She and her mom cooperated for a few years to make saris, lehengas and other types of traditional bridal or party attire. That part of her career also moulded Kaur into who she is today.
"Dealing very closely with textiles, [my family and I] combined textures and colours that you wouldn't necessarily think fit together at first glance…but once they're layered on top of one another, your eyes suddenly start to make all of these interesting visual connections," she says. "You get to know about all the tiny threads in an outfit, and when you look at the fabric you see its beauty. I think that comes through in how I handle my materials when I'm creating."
Kaur hasn't previously displayed any of her repertoire in Whistler, but she's been to the area many times. She looks forward to sharing the fruits of her labour with Sea to Sky denizens and visitors, particularly as the seasons change.
Learn more about Pierced into the air, the temper and secrets crept in with a cry at audainartmuseum.com/exhibitions/russna-kaur-pierced-into-the-air/.
