The latest exhibit in the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum’s Gallery No. 1 was created by a former Estevan resident who still has strong ties to the community.
Diana Chisholm, who was the artist in residence for the Estevan Arts Council in 2015-16, returned to the Energy City this week. A reception was held Friday night for her exhibit, Delete if not Aloud, with about 30 people in attendance.
Chisholm told the Mercury that the exhibit was inspired by her experiences when she moved to Estevan, and she was looking to furnish her apartment. She turned to the Garage Sale Estevan Facebook page, and found some unique items.
“I began to take a closer look at how people use Facebook buy and sell groups, and was intrigued by some of the posts, and the way people use those sites to buy and sell things that they maybe no longer need, or could have another use.”
She was also interested in some of the photos of objects that people were posting, as there were some strikingly beautiful images.
“I started recreating some of the posts that I found more intriguing or interesting,” said Chisholm.
She also pointed out that the contents for Delete if not Aloud will be suited to the community where it is displayed, so she will use other items in future exhibits. Among the merchandise on display for Delete if not Aloud are coveralls in a container and work clothes on hangers.
Industry is also of interest to her, since Chisholm grew up on a farm. She said she sees the beauty in a community like Estevan.
Chisholm’s partner, David Dyck, is originally from Estevan and has family in the area. Chisholm has been visiting with them this week, and has also been seeing friends she met while in Estevan.
After her term as the artist in residence came to an end, Chisholm had a brief stint working for the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils in Regina. She and Dyck now reside in Corner Brook, N.L., She splits her time between that city and Woody Point, N.L.
Delete if not Aloud will remain on display until March 29.
Also new to the EAGM is Karla Griffin’s It’s not you, its Me, which is on display from Feb. 1-March 29. Griffin was not in attendance Friday night.
Next week’s edition of the Mercury will have more on Chisholm’s exhibit.
