ELIZABETH RUSSELL, Exchanges, August 31 to October 13, 2012, Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam, B.C.

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"Drawings"

Elizabeth Russell, "Drawings," pastel on paper.

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"Drawings"

Elizabeth Russell, "Drawings," pastel on paper.

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"Drawings"

Elizabeth Russell, "Drawings," pastel on paper.

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ELIZABETH RUSSELL: Exchanges

August 31 to October 13, 2012

Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam, B.C.

By Janet Nicol

Artist, curator, and instructor Elizabeth Russell placed oil pastels into the hands of a diverse group of Coquitlam workshop participants and asked them to express their concept of home, homeland, community and place. “I told them to think about colour, light and time of day. I accepted their results ‘as is.’ It’s taking a chance but I want the flaws. I want the pieces to be true,” she says. She also included their written stories, which she says enrich the display of pastel images. Participating artists are members of the Immigrant Services Society of B.C., students from Port Moody Secondary School, and senior citizens living at Glen Pine Pavilion in Coquitlam. Immigrant images and stories stood out, she says. “They put a lot of effort into their work. They compare their home countries to Canada, and I’m fascinated by that.” She says some participants have never left Canada, but noticed that those who moved within the country had unique ideas about home as well. The Evergreen show, Exchanges, is true to its title — Russell showcases participants’ work alongside her responses, expressed in installations and mixed media artwork.