This 3 minute video shows the fabrication steps of a Keeper and the sculptures accompanied by a test version of the video projection in the studio at the KOAC in May 2021.

The Keepers                                                                                                                                                                    

Exploring the concepts of self and community through forest immersion.

The Keepers is an installation that uses the forest as a visual metaphor to explore concepts of self and community while enticing us to reflect upon the ephemeral nature of humans within in natural systems. The installation is composed of recycled cardboard sculptures accompanied by video projections and a large canvas painting.

As visitors enter the world of The Keepers, they are enveloped by a forest of cardboard tree like forms and become part of the installation. The sculptures, with their delicate curves and verticality, evoke the singularity of each being within its community. Together, like a forest, they form an interdependent community that transcends individual boundaries. The connection between the sculptures is reinforced by a video projection that flows on their surfaces. This video introduces humans as a passing presence within the installation.

At the heart of this installation, The Ancestor stands as a symbolic anchor, carrying the weight of time. Its imposing presence, larger than its companion sculptures, stretches skyward with a video projection of the forest canopy above. The 15 minutes projection shows a full year of seasonal transition looking up at the sky through a cluster of Albert aspen trees.

The Wave, a 6’ tall by 16’ long tapestry, introduces the visual of the projection. Human silhouettes move harmoniously, forming a fluid wave that recalls the curves of the sculptures. Each body represents an individual, the self, and the wave they form represents the cohesion of a community. This visual composition underlines the delicate balance between individuality and collaboration in our society.

Through The Keepers, the artist invites us to explore our own identity within the human and natural community. It’s an immersive experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional art, prompting visitors to reflect on their ephemeral passage through this interconnected world.

The Keepers have been shown at the CAVA Gallery in Edmonton in July and August 2021 and at the  Western GM Drumheller Gallery in January 2022, at the Okotoks Art Gallery in May and June 2023. They will be exhibited at the art gallery of the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain.

In June 2021, we had a soft unveiling of the project with a small crowd due to covid restrictions. Here is the video of the event.