Matrix, Latin for womb, is defined as the environment or material in which something develops. In printmaking, the matrix is the plate or stencil from which the prints are made.
With these definitions in mind, artists Jo-Ann Sheen and Edith Krause have created Matrix, an exhibition of contemporary printmaking, which runs at the Fort Gallery Jan. 11-29.
In the exhibit, Sheen has chosen a plastic water bottle as her matrix, experimenting with colour, paper, collage, construction and deconstruction.
Meanwhile, Krause explores the issue of plankton and plastic: the problem of human-generated micro-plastics contaminating the oceans, rivers and lakes, and substituting for plankton in the diets of filter-feeding animals.
The opening reception for Matrix will be held in conjunction with the gallery’s First Thursday community arts event on Thursday, Jan. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m.
First Thursdays are monthly events where the gallery hosts a variety of visual artists, writers, poets and musicians from the local community.
January’s event features Celeste Snowber, a dancer, writer, poet and educator.
Snowber is an associate professor in the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University, as well as the artist in residence in the UBC Botanical Garden, where she is creating seasonal performances of dance and poetry inspired by the Asian Garden. Her love of improvisation fused with dance, spoken word and poetry take flight in her performances.
The Fort Gallery is located at 9048 Glover Rd. and is open Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Visit www.fortgallery.ca. for more info.