The Cells: Comfort in Familiarity and Repetition
September 21, 2021 – January 14, 2022
theDock: Centre for Social Impact
300-722 Cormorant St, Victoria, BC V8W 1P8
Hours: M-F 8:30am-5pm
We are pleased to announce that Emily Kirsch will be showing work at theDock: Centre for Social Impact for the next quarter. About the work, she says:
“During the height of my cognitive and reading comprehension issues resulting from a traumatic brain injury, I focused my practice on exploring bio-art. This series is the product of exploring educational science diagrams. Looking back to old notebooks filled with illustrations from my high school science courses offered a break from other means of learning such as reading or lectures. The reinterpretation of these cells became a therapeutic and contemplative process. Using a punch needle for the slow and repetitive process allowed me time to consider the reasons behind choosing this particular diagram from my earlier education. The learning of cells, organelles, and mitochondria, bring to mind the apparent lack of utilitarian education in secondary schooling. In adulthood, what was learned in science class seems impractical when faced with taxes. However, It is comforting to focus on a subject that has permanently fixed itself into my long term memory, when my short term memory is so unreliable.”
About the Artist: Emily Kirsch is a British Columbia artist creating interdisciplinary work. Their practice uses learning and play as integral processes to create artwork. Kirsch was born and raised in Kelowna and moved to Vancouver island to complete a BFA Honours in Visual arts. Kirsch has shown in Squamish, Vancouver, Victoria, and was nominated this year for the BMO 1st Award in addition to being featured by CBC Arts.
