David Alexander	Jim Kalnin	Richard Suarez	Ann Kipling
John Hall	Carolina Sanchez de Bustamante	Joice M. Hall	Byron Johnston
Steve Mennie	Doug Alcock	Leonard Epp	Janet Cardiff & George Bures Miller
Geert Maas	Heidi Thompson	David Montpetit & Bruce Taiji	Carl St Jean

Okanagan Eyes Okanagan Wise Okanagan-ise

“I’ve been all around this world” sang the Grateful Dead or “I’ve been everywhere, of travel I’ve had my share “crooned Hank Snow and Johnny Cash. Personally, I too have been around and now here I am back in the Okanagan where the interested question most posed to me is -“Why?”

The world is wondrously varied with many cultural experiences to be had but the human species has proven to be, nonetheless, loyal to place. It may be that an ethnic colouring with a shade of politics and socialisation is necessary to our personal picture for although we may be able to link in to a larger world than was ever imagined in times gone by - we still love to root for our team. Okanagan Eyes Okanagan Wise Okanagan-ise is presented with an enthusiastic and contemporary “yippee!” and “hurray!”

Artistic synchronicity has garnered the attention of history when enclaves of artists left their marks on places in degrees of fame and infamy. Such stories as are hinted at by mention of Florence during the Renaissance, the Left Bank in Paris, the Dada-ists, Futurists, Impressionists, The Cedar Tavern in New York, or Canada’s Group of Seven, The Regina Five or Painters Eleven are not solely stories of the art objects. Around - and because of - the art generated, there are tangential narratives about the gatherings, friendships, adversities, haunts and flaunts of the artists themselves. With numerous examples of historical synchronicity, artists identify their own native ground and this can provoke pride-of-place when, as here in the Okanagan, it is a fortunate harmonious environ.

Viewing through the lens of proximity can develop a slant, a ‘local vision’ and since art is about perceiving with an immediate awareness; those who live and work in the Okanagan, could be attributed with ‘Okanagan Eyes’. It is doubtful that this vision is not periodically set in comparison against other places – New York, Berlin, London, Venice or the far-away lands over which Tony Onley flew or Emily Carr drew but even when exhibition schedules are challenging with internationality – artists tend to roost.

 A tour of the exhibition, Okanagan Eyes Okanagan Wise Okanagan-ise, will bring about a state more ‘Okanagan wise’. Whether there will be an obvious correlation between the visual voices of these artists or not will be gleaned through the seeing. Since this exposure takes place here, in the Okanagan, this taste of cultural fare will enable an understanding and, once acclimatised, provoke identification – ‘Okanagan-ised’ …

Be it Glenn Clark’s hockey portrait (check the jersey on the player to the right of the central Glenn Clark – it reads North Okanagan¹) David Alexander’s lively landscapes, the enigmatic photogravure by Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller, the facility between Steve Mennies’ realist ease and his abstract meanderings, Byron Johnston’s quirky manipulation of the stuff of quotidian life or the heavy metal originality of Geert Maas’, Doug Alcock’s or (combined with glass) David Montpetit’s and Bruce Taiji’s work – it all adds up to a strong contemporary hit. Then add to the mixture Carolina Sanchez de Bustamante’s Eye for an Eye, the concentration of Ann Kipling’s drawing, Leonard Epp’s ceramic narrative, the painting panache of Joice M. Hall and John Hall, the finesse of Carl St Jean’s cabinetry, Richard Suarez’s constructions, Jim Kalnin’s melding of architectonics with nature and Heidi Thompson’s grand colour field work – and we have a world class show!

In the Okanagan, the sun and slopes have not distracted the artistic focus, but nourished it. There is something to be said for living the good life here in la-la land where Okanagan Eyes Okanagan Wise Okanagan-ise, is just the tip of the bountiful cornucopia of creativity.

Okanagan Eyes Okanagan Wise Okanagan-ise, is sure to have a sequel for the horn of plenty is mighty full and the gallery too small for a comprehensive over view. Let this wet your appetite.

Viewing through the lens of proximity can develop a slant, a ‘local vision’ and since art is about perceiving with an immediate awareness; those who live and work in the Okanagan, could be attributed with ‘Okanagan Eyes’.

A tour of the exhibition, Okanagan Eyes Okanagan Wise Okanagan-ise, will bring about a state more ‘Okanagan wise’.

Since this exposure takes place here, in the Okanagan, this taste of cultural fare will enable an understanding and, once acclimatised, provoke identification – ‘Okanagan-ised’ …

1. This commentary is written on the eve of the second last game in the NHL play-offs, while hockey fever is high.