2024: A pivotal year in the visual arts scene, marked by five exhibitions that encapsulate historical and contemporary expressions in an unprecedented way. Each showcases an aspect of art that has been explored and interpreted differently, offering a rich tapestry of artistic endeavors reflecting diverse experiences and historical contexts.

Beaverbrook Art Gallery: Sculpture Takes Center Stage

Under the ambitious leadership of its new curator, Ray Cronin, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery is venturing into the realm of sculpture. This marks a significant shift for the gallery, which has not traditionally collected much sculpture. Highlighting contemporary Canadian artists, the exhibit reflects not just a new direction for the gallery, but also the evolving landscape of Canadian art.

San Diego Museum of Art: O’Keeffe and Moore in Dialogue

Drawing parallels between the works of American painter Georgia O’Keeffe and British sculptor Henry Moore, the San Diego Museum of Art offers a unique exhibition. Despite their different mediums, their modernist approach to organic forms reveals striking similarities. Both artists, who left us in 1986, continue to influence the art world with their distinctive styles and contributions.

National Gallery of Canada: The Fabric of Abstraction

The National Gallery of Canada delves into the intersection of textile art and abstraction, offering a comprehensive exploration of woven textiles and preloom techniques spanning a century. Originating from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the exhibit features works by 150 international artists, emphasizing the breadth and depth of disciplines, from fine art and fashion to design and craft.

Baltimore Museum of Art: Women Artists in Europe

An extensive exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art redefining the narrative of women’s contribution to the visual arts showcases over 200 historical works by female European artists. Co-produced with the Baltimore Museum of Art, the exhibition spans a variety of mediums: textiles, woodworking, ceramics, and even perfume-making, broadening the perception of artistic expression.

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria: The Migrant Experience

Curated by Asian art curator Heng Wu, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria presents a thought-provoking exhibition on the migrant experience. The exhibition features three Asian-Canadian artists: Andy Lou, a specialist in traditional Chinese brush painting; Chrystal Phan, who blends photo-realism with symbolism in her portrayals of second-generation immigrant life; and Yumie Kono, who presents a gentler perspective through drawings and paintings of landscapes and figures.