September 6, 2025 to January 11, 2026
Seriously? Comedy and Satire in Canadian Art 1970s–Now brings together two generations of artists who use figural narrative and political satire to reflect on culture and community. Featuring works by contemporary Canadian artists from both public and private collections across the country, the exhibition moves beyond regional divides and the binary of traditional versus experimental practices. It traces unexpected connections—from the folksy Victoria school, Vancouver’s edgy Western Front scene, Halifax conceptualism, Regina funk, to Indigenous artists’ embrace of manga and comics.
Senior artists such as Judy Chartrand, Maxwell Bates, and Anna Banana offer sharp cultural critiques, while others including Shuvinai Ashoona, Victor Cicansky, and Maud Lewis find humour and joy in the everyday. Seriously? spans a wide range of media—from ceramics and beadwork to cartoons and performance—offering visitors a chance to engage with works that explore humour and whimsy, qualities rarely highlighted historically in the Canadian contemporary art landscape.
Organized by Griffin Art Projects and curated by Melissa E. Feldman.
Presented with support from:
Official Paint Sponsor:
Opening Reception
Friday, September 5, 2025 | 6 to 8 pm
Open to the public to attend.
Performance with artist Adrian Norvid
Saturday, September 6, 2025 | 10 am
Join Montreal-based artist Adrian Norvid for a live performance of Adrian’s Awetopsy within the exhibition Seriously? Comedy and Satire in Canadian Art 1970s – Now. Open to the public to attend. This event is free with Gallery Admission (always FREE for Gallery Members!)
Comedian Charlie Demers
Friday, October 3, 2025 | 7:30 pm
Want a full night of comedy? Our friends at the Rotary Centre for the Arts are presenting JUNO-nominated comedian, author, and The Debaters star Charlie Demers on Friday, October 3 at 7:30 PM. Hosted by Faris Hytiaa and featuring local comedian Alison Lujan, it’s part of their RCA Presents season, and the perfect pairing with our ‘Seriously? Comedy and Satire in Canadian Art 1970s – Now exhibition’, running September 6 – January 11. Make it a full night of laughs!
See rotarycentreforthearts.com for details and tickets.
Bob Rennie: Collector’s Talk
Sunday, October 5, 2025 | 10 am
Bob Rennie is recognized as one of the world’s top 200 art collectors. Bob will share his journey from purchasing his first work at aged 18 to his recent appointment as chair of the collectors council at the National Gallery in Washington DC. Bob will discuss creating the Wing Sang museum along with the acquisitions that fit Bob’s philosophy of “we never acquired trophies ..however we now own trophies”.. referring to the masterpieces in the collection that are on loan to museums around the world.
Open to the public to attend. R.S.V.P. to info@kelownaartgallery.com
Catalogue
A copy of the catalogue is available to view/download [here].
Video
Artist Adrian Norvid discusses his work featured in Seriously? Comedy and Satire in Canadian Art 1970s–Now. Known for his playful and often absurd drawings and installations, Norvid taps into pop culture, music, and everyday life to create witty social commentaries.
Images
