Victoria Verge
July 18 to November 27, 2023
Victoria Verge, Unsettled, 2023. Ceramic, bird wings, wire, fishhooks, cloth, acrylic.
Unsettled is a thought-provoking sculptural installation that draws inspiration from the artist, Victoria Verge’s childhood marked by frequent relocation as the daughter of a Canadian Forces soldier. By utilizing flying ceramic houses, the installation serves as a powerful medium to convey the profound emotional impact of relocation on military dependents, highlighting the poignant experiences of displacement and the longing for stability that accompany such circumstances.
This site-specific installation is a whimsical visual portrayal of simplified clay house structures, suspended mid-air by the unexpected addition of taxidermy bird wings. This unusual combination symbolizes the transformative power of adaptation and resilience. Verge’s sculptural practice delves into the intricate interplay between emotional fragility and stability, shedding light on the complex dynamics surrounding housing and relocation.
Through Unsettled, Verge invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences of transience and the profound effects of displacement on individuals and communities alike. The installation serves as a catalyst for dialogue and introspection, provoking a deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological complexities that arise from such experiences.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Victoria Verge is a multi-medium artist based in Kelowna, BC and a current MFA candidate at UBC Okanagan. She received her BFA from Memorial University of Newfoundland in 2015. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and supported by various provincial arts councils, awards, scholarships, and private investors. Verge’s work is grounded in analyzing the effects of military service on its soldiers and their families through primary-source research and reflection on her own upbringing as a military child.
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