Annabel Stanley
September 4, 2021 to September 11, 2022
In the Gallery’s Rotary Courtyard Annabel Stanley explores the form of the circle, how it shapes our environment, and is reflected in the flora and fauna that surround us. This site-specific installation was inspired by her recent discovery of sacred geometry (which examines the intersection of math, architecture, and nature) in addition to the work of influential artist Alexander Liberman and his reflection on the circle.
Visitors will encounter various sculptures woven from natural fibres such as grasses, dogwood, alder, willow, moss, and grape vines – including an oversized bee skep that pays tribute to the humble bee which pollinates our food crops. The Circle of Life will feature subtle changes introduced throughout the year that reflect the cycle of the seasons.
Stanley sources her materials throughout the Okanagan Valley and from her vineyard in West Kelowna. She trained in Willow Sculpture with artist Julieann Worrall Hood in Wiltshire, England and has exhibited extensively in British Columbia and New Zealand.
About bee skeps
Skeps are round woven baskets which are placed open-end-down and have been used to house bees for some 2,000 years. Believed to have been first used in Ireland, they were initially made from wicker plastered with mud and dung, but after the Middle Ages, almost all were made of straw. In northern and western Europe, skeps were made of coils of grass or straw. There is no internal structure provided for the bees and the colony must produce its own honeycomb, which is attached to the inside of the skep.
Interactive Visitor Component
Visitors are invited to get hands-on in The Circle of Life. Yes, you can (gently) touch the art. Create your own installation by rearranging the sphere-shaped sculptures and seating within the courtyard.
Snap a photo of your layout, tag us @kelownaartgallery and then post it to social media using the hashtag: #movethespheres
Presented with support from:
VIDEO
Join exhibiting artist Annabel Stanley from her studio in West Kelowna for this exclusive behind-the-scenes look at where she creates.
Video interview with artist Annabel Stanley to accompany her exhibition, The Circle of Life.
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