With its first public event since a pandemic-mellowed display of local art at Sunnycrest Mall in 2020, One Flower One Leaf gallery is preparing for a 10-day presentation that will leave visitors catching their breath.
The Love Exhibition opens on Feb. 10 at the Zócalo space steps from One Flower One Leaf’s location in Gibsons Landing. It will feature interactive experiences including love meditation and heart coherence breathwork led by performance artist Sherri Pregitzer.
A dozen contributors will display works, including painter E. A. Evans, who in 2022 was named B.C. Artist of the Year by the Nature Trust of British Columbia.
The idea for the love-themed show blossomed when One Flower One Leaf co-founder Grace Unopia gathered last November with a selection of the 30 artists she represents at the boutique gallery.
“Among the people that we got together, we felt that we need to be re-connected and that love needs to be spread,” Unopia said. She sensed that acclaim for her sensuality-themed exhibition held in 2018 demanded a fitting sequel. “It’s been a few years, and the world is a little broken right now. People are disconnected. So now feels right.”
Some of the artists, like Brian Romer, are making their debut within the One Flower One Leaf network. Romer began painting at five years of age. He has continued the discipline for seven decades, producing canvases that express tranquil landscapes by isolating essential forms and hues.
“I paint almost every day, mostly smaller paintings, so that I can capture the moods, colours, weather and seasons swiftly and spontaneously,” Romer said. “My first love is to start quickly, paint faster and finish before any second thoughts occur. I hope that my strong love of the Sunshine Coast is clearly evident in all my paintings.”
Lori Morris, a self-taught artist, was also newly-recruited by Unopia for the show. Morris’s paintings depict iconic settings of the Sunshine Coast. The russet branches of her Arbutus on Pender’s Shore reach over sparkling waters and moss-draped rocks, a study in vitality and depth.
“Being outdoors is a real refreshment for me and then recreating the scenes on canvas is amazingly therapeutic as well,” said Morris. “ I sincerely hope that the love and care of our creator come through to anyone who comes across my work.”
Shain Jackson, a member of the shíshálh Nation who exhibited at the Gibsons Public Art Gallery last June, conjugates his career in law with his practice of creating provocative, wisdom-laden works.
“I have always been mesmerized not only by the beauty of Coastal art but also its meaning,” he said. “Our history, culture, and even our laws are codified into these pieces.”
Other featured artists in the Love Exhibition include Autumn Skye, Claire Folstad, Joelly Cright, Peter R. Nicholls, Stewart Jacobs, Tyler Gentry, and Zaan Claassens.
The interactive activities led by Pregitzer will explore unconventional acts of intimacy. During the eye-contact experiment, two models demonstrate the power of holding each other’s gaze for a full minute. Afterward, attendees will be invited to participate by locking eyes with one another.
For Unopia, the greater challenge was staring down her long wait for a return to in-person celebrations like the Love Exhibition. She found strength in the tenacity of Sunshine Coast artists.
“They took on the challenge,” she said, “with their bravery, their courage, and their love. They persevered because they see the truth.”
The Love Exhibition opening reception is on Friday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at One Flower One Leaf, with the eye-contact performance across the street at Zócalo. The show runs until Feb. 19. More details are available on Instagram (@onefloweroneleafgallery) and onefloweroneleaf.com.
