Russna Kaur
A Site-Specific Audain Art Museum Exhibition
Story by Katherine Fawcewtt
Russna Kaur, They are midway between the sun and the moon, 2020
acrylic, cold wax, sand, cut canvas, pastel on wood panel, canvas, raw silk and cotton
487.68 x 274.32 cm.
Audain Art Museum Collection, Purchased with the Audain Art Acquisition Fund.
Regular Audain Art Museum (AAM) visitors will be familiar with Russna Kaur’s bold and innovative work. One of her major pieces, entitled They are midway between the sun and the moon, 2020, made of acrylic, cold wax, sand, cut canvas, pastel on wood panel, canvas, raw silk and cotton, is part of the AAM’s permanent collection.
So, when the 33-year-old Richmond, B.C.-based artist was approached about using the AAM’s spectacular upper gallery for a new exhibition that would have her extend the swatches of material and paint directly onto the gallery walls, creating an immersive experience, AAM Director and Chief Curator Curtis Collins said, “She was thrilled.”
Russna Kaur: Pierced into the air, the swirling gold rattled with no echo — the temper and secrets crept in with a cry, will be displayed at the AAM from Oct. 4, 2024 to Jan. 27, 2025.
The upstairs gallery space at the AAM is genuinely breathtaking. There are dramatic archways, massive five-paned windows that face a forested grove, interesting wall angles and a variety of ceiling heights — a perfect fit for Kaur’s visionary work.
Kaur will spend two weeks in the upper gallery this fall, creating an exhibit that uses the space, light, height, geometric shapes, and acute angles in her signature way. As she’s doing so, there will be opportunities for her to meet and interact with the public.
“This is a great way to introduce the artist to the community,” Collins said. “It gives a special vitality to the museum. audainartmuseum.com
On now in the main gallery: Tom Thomson: North Star, a McMichael Canadian Art Collection production, co-curated by Executive Director and Chief Curator Sarah Milroy and former Executive Director Ian Dejardin. It is showing at the AAM from June 29 to Oct. 14, 2024. Read more about it HERE.