Xiaojing Yan, Bridge, 2009, Chinese ceramic spoons. Image courtesy of the artist.


VARLEY ART GALLERY OF MARKHAM

The Varley Art Gallery of Markham is pleased to present (Da bao)(Takeout) curated by Shannon Anderson and Doug Lewis with assistance from Selena Yang

Please join us in celebrating the launch of the exhibition opening and of the catalogue on Thursday, 24 May at 7 p.m.

(DA BAO)(TAKEOUT)
24 May to 3 September 2012

Sara Angelucci and Han Xu, John Armstrong and Paul Collins, Cathy Busby, Gang Chen, Brendan Fernandes, Nan Hao, Ming Hon, Knowles Eddy Knowles, Laiwan, Minjeong Oh, Ed Pien, Shen Yi Elsie, Laurens Tan, Xiaojing Yan, and Zhang Zhaohui

(Da bao)(Takeout) is an attempt to locate a cross-cultural and social dynamic between China and the West, specifically Canada, by focusing on artists who investigate, adapt and instill ideas from abroad into their practices, while appreciating the palpable slippages that occur in the transference of ideas from one ethnicity to another. The selected artists explore ironic, metaphoric, humorous and even cynical perspectives on the import and export of people, cultures and ideas.

Culture, in general, can be regarded as a system of delivering ideas from one group of people to another. In this way, (Da bao)(Takeout) addresses the metaphorical concept of delivery and interpretation of cultural identity. Artworks from both countries challenge and play with the different cultural conventions and restrictions that exist between East and West.

The seventeen artists in this exhibition are a mix of second- or third-generation Chinese-Canadians, Chinese who have travelled abroad to study art, and Canadians who have travelled to China for residencies or exhibitions. They share the experience of being "taken out" of familiar environments and encountering a strikingly different culture. While their individual voices occupy a unique position, collectively, they speak to issues of cultural transference, highlighting the gaps, distances and misunderstandings inherent in communication across cultural divides.

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Laurens Tan, Dan Sheng (Birth) 2, 2011, Fibreglass, Steel, Sanlunche Parts, Baked Enamel, 108 x 210 x 120 cm. Image courtesy the artist and Tally Beck Contemporary, New York.


PUBLIC PROGRAMS related to the exhibition:

ARTISTS IN THE ROUND
Sunday 27 May 2012, 1-4 pm
$10 / $15 including round-trip art bus from OCADU at 12pm / Members free
Gain further insight as exhibiting artists take the floor to discuss their individual approach and practice. The program includes an exhibition tour. Pre-register as spaces are limited.

TASTE OF ASIA FESTIVAL organized by the Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham
Friday 23 June & Saturday 24 June 2012
Partake in an interactive art project with artist Annie Onyi Cheung as part of Canada's largest Asian festival.

NIGHT IT UP! organized by Power Unit Youth Organization
Saturday 14 July 2012
The Varley Art Gallery and artist Annie Onyi Cheung will facilitate an exhibition-based site-specific art project during this exciting event, which features Asian food and local performers.

WORLD MUSIC AND DANCE FESTIVAL in partnership with the Unionville BIA
Travelling Through Time and Space
Saturday 21 July 2012, 2-4pm
As part of the festival, celebrated pianist/composer Lee Pui Ming will team up with improvisational dancer Mary Ganzon to dialogue with the artworks in the exhibition through sound and movement.

THE WAY OF TEA: TRADITIONS AND TASTINGS in partnership with Tea Leaves
Sunday 26 August 2012, 1-4pm
$10 / Members free.
Certified tea sommelier Karen Hartwick talks about the origins, culture, rituals, and tasting profiles of tea in both the Eastern and Western tradition. Experience tea presentation and savour high quality, exotic loose-leaf teas at 1pm or 3pm. Participants are invited to join us for an exhibition tour at 2pm.
Pre-register as spaces are limited to 25 participants in each program.

PUBLIC GALLERY TOURS
Every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm

For more information on these programs and (Da bao)(Takeout) visit www.varleygallery.ca

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SUPPORTED BY: IBM, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Varley-McKay Art Foundation, Town of Markham

COMMUNITY PARTNERS: Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham, Power Unit Youth Organization, Unionville BIA, Tea Leaves

HOURS: Mon. (July and August), Tues., Wed., Fri., Sun. 11a.m. - 4p.m., Thurs. 11a.m. - 8p.m., Sat. 10a.m. - 5p.m.

ADMISSION: Adults $5.00 | Seniors and Students $4.00 | Youth (6-11) $3.00 | Children (under 6) free | Family (up to 2 adults and 4 children/youth) $12.00 | Gallery members free | Reciprocal members free (plus *HST).

FREE ADMISSION: Beginning 24 May, free admission provided by IBM to mark its 100th anniversary

Image Credits:
Xiaojing Yan, Bridge, 2009, Chinese ceramic spoons. Image courtesy of the artist.
Laurens Tan, Dan Sheng (Birth) 2, 2011, Fibreglass, Steel, Sanlunche Parts, Baked Enamel, 108 x 210 x 120 cm. Image courtesy the artist and Tally Beck Contemporary, New York.

Media inquiries: Anik Glaude | 905.477.9511, ext. 3262 | aglaude@markham.ca

The Varley Art Gallery of Markham
216 Main Street Unionville
Markham, ON L3R 2H1
905.477.9511