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Curated by Sarah Quinton
In partnership with the Textile Museum of Canada, Toronto
Kai Chan expresses the small moments of daily life, employing materials and techniques that speak to tradition and modernity. This exhibition celebrates his achievements and reveals the essence of his observations of natural and constructed worlds - and his autobiographical impressions of the connections between the two. To view Chan's artwork is to see him as a "master of the unremarkable" - twigs, thread, toothpicks and buttons are the ephemeral materials that he employs to create transfixing other-worlds. He works with common, household 'things' that are reminders of his years growing up in China. Chan has altered the gene pools of what constitutes sculpture and what constitutes textiles by manipulating and representing elements of the natural world to conjure impressions that play on natural phenomena, geographical boundaries and cultural influences.
Kai Chan: A Spider's Logic brings together many key artworks that have never been seen together before. Additionally, significant focus will be placed on new work made especially for this exhibition.
Kai Chan's work is critically received equally within the disciplines of textiles and the visual art . He participated in the prestigious 12th International Biennial of Tapestry in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1985, and the notable International Triennial of Tapestry in Lodz, Poland in 2001, where he exhibited Ocean, one in a series of complex wall hangings comprised of thousands of toothpicks and thread - an indication that woven tapestry is now only one textile process among many, thanks to artists like Chan whose work is seen in a contemporary context of textiles as substance, structure and subject matter.
Public Programs at the Varley
Exhibition Tour
with curator Sarah Quinton and artist Kai Chan
Date: Sunday, November 7
Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm
Admission: Free with admission
Panel Discussion
The Complex Practice of Simplicity
Date: Sunday, November 28
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Fee: $10 members; $15 non-members
A panel discussion of Kai Chan's work with exhibition curator Sarah Quinton, Shannon Anderson, Charles Guilbert and Kai Chan. Moderated by Lynne Milgram. Pre-registration required. Contact the Varley at (905) 477-9511.
Literary Links
Storytelling with Bernice Hune
Date: Sunday, December 5
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Fee: Free with admission; all ages
Storytellng and the Bamboo Brush (the artwork comes to life in these tales) and Stories of Immigrant History (contemporary Canadian tales of Pacific Canadian artists settling within our borders.) |
Kai Chan, Seeing the Buddha, 2004 Mixed twigs, bamboo, found wood, glass wine bottle, toothpick, gesso, cotton cloth, masonite, corrugated cardboard
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Kai Chan in Poetry and Music
Date: Thursday, January 13
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm
Fee: $20 members/students; $30 non-members
The poetry of Barry Dempster and the music of The George Gao Ensemble are interwoven acoustically in the environment created by Kai Chan. Pre-registration required. Contact the Varley at (905) 477-9511.
Workshop: Textile Design and Techniques
Date: Sunday, January 16 & 23 (2 sessions)
Time: 1:00pm-5:00pm
Fee: $40 members; $50 non-members
Based on the concepts of 'home' and 'roots', a theme that runs through the work of both exhibiting artist Kai Chan and workshop artist Shuyu Lu, participants will be encouraged to create a textile work that expresses their impressions and personal approach to this complex concept. In this two day workshop, participants will learn several basic textile technique : dyeing, silk screen printing( block-out fluid), and hand-embroidery. Students will have also have a chance to discuss and experiment with natural materials (wood branches, wood) and found objects. Pre-registration required. Contact the Varley at (905) 477-9511.
Lecture: Artist and Educator Dorie Millerson
Date: Sunday, January 23
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm
Fee: Free with admission
Textile artist and educator Dorie Millerson, discusses Kai Chan in the context of craft and textile history.
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Exclusive Event:
Dinner and Concert with Steven Ma
Thurs. Aug. 26 & Fri. Aug. 27, 8PM
In support of Kai Chan: A Spider's Logic, the Varley-McKay Art Foundation produced this fundraiser that attracted over 1000 guests. A great time was had by all for two evenings of fine Chinese cuisine at the Regal Palace Banquet Hall, and wonderful entertainment featuring Steven Ma Chun Wai, renowned Hong Kong singer, actor and writer!
A special thank you to Varley-McKay Art Foundation board member Sammy Lee, Natalis Wong,Suzanne Wong, Fairchild TV and Radio, and Regal Palace Banquet Hall for all their hard work and effort.
For images featuring hightlights of the event, visit the Varley Art Gallery's Facebook page.
Gold Sponsor: 
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View Poster in PDF format.
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