BC art: A visual history worth slowing down for

Everyone goes through BC and sees the mountains, the sea, and all those trees. Some would notice that this province has given birth to one of Canada's unique, largest and longest-standing art forms, an art rooted in centuries past and very much alive today.

North West Coast First Nations carving traditions demonstrate that art in BC started long before contact with Europeans. They tell stories, and these masks, poles, and ceremonial pieces have a genealogy that can only be traced with years of intentional study to pay attention to them; they are still among the most complex visual productions anywhere.

From Emily Carr to today

How Emily Carr, who spent decades capturing this province's forests and Indigenous communities, evolved as an artist throughout her life. Early pieces look almost documentary. The latter ones seem to be more spiritual, animated, and unnaturally deep. To have them both shown next to each other offers a much more rounded view of her career than the isolated glimpse of one influential work.

Carr was followed by artists such as E.J. Hughes and Jack Shadbolt, and in more recent decades, BC has also produced internationally recognized names such as Jeff Wall and Stan Douglas, whose work is seen worldwide while remaining rooted here.

Where to watch it, collected properly.

Bringing this whole arc together is Whistler's Audain Art Museum, featuring everything from the historic masks to Carr and contemporary BC artists under one roof. It is worth the visit. The art of this province deserves more than a passing glance.

For additional information regarding BC Art please continue browsing our website at audainartmuseum.com.

Location: 4350 Blackcomb Wy, Whistler, BC V8E 1N3, Canada

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