The Polygon's new thought-provoking art exhibition finally opens this weekend
Vancouver is home to a plethora of galleries where art- and culture-lovers can immerse themselves in a unique space, taking in the bold and thought-provoking works around them.
This is most certainly the case at The Polygon Gallery, located in the heart of Lower Lonsdale, North Vancouver. Never visited? Well, you’re in for a real treat as The Polygon is one of the most internationally-acclaimed public art galleries in Canada.
To make it better, there’s a highly anticipated exhibition launching at the gallery on Friday, October 18 which runs right through to Sunday, January 12, 2020. For the first time in Western Canada, Egyptian artist Wael Shawky will be showing a collection of his latest work with Al Araba Al Madfuna.
On Thursday, October 17, the exhibition kicks off with a conversation with Wael Shawky at 7 pm, which gives you the opportunity to hear words from this internationally-renowned artist directly, before the opening reception starts at 8 pm.
Shawky’s contemporary artwork gives visitors the chance to see how history and mythology blur together, or become interchanged as we search for meaning and narrative in real life. These questions are especially timely in the current day.
Check out screenings of the multilayered film productions Al Araba Al Madfuna I and Al Araba Al Madfuna II, which will take place during the run of the exhibition on select days. Each explores how mythologies are recorded alongside our current narratives of uncertainty and change.
The final part of Shawky’s trilogy of films, Al Araba Al Madfuna III, was creatively shot in Egypt in the temples of the Pharaoh Seti and Osirion in the ancient city of Abydos (Al Araba Al Madfuna).
Wondering where Shawky derives his inspiration from? The third film nods to a short story called Sunflowers by Egyptian writer Mohamed Mustagab and is complemented by Shawky’s own experiences travelling.
One of Shawky’s works, Cabaret Crusades (2010-15), was recently listed in a feature on ‘The best art of the 21st century‘ by The Guardian. Although this piece won’t be showing as part of the upcoming exhibition, it gives you a sense of how highly regarded Shawky truly is.
Admission to The Polygon Gallery is by donation, and since the exhibition drops this weekend, you’ve got the perfect reason to visit! For more information before then, visit thepolygon.ca.
Wael Shawky: Al Araba Al Madfuna
When:
- Opening reception and conversation with the artist: Thursday, October 17 at 7 pm
- Exhibition: Friday, October 18, 2019, to Sunday, January 12, 2020
Time:
- 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday to Sunday
- Closed Monday
Where: The Polygon Gallery — 101 Carrie Cates Court, North Vancouver
Price: By donation
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