Earlier this month I had the opportunity to exhibit four pieces in The Giving Ocean, a group exhibition and fundraiser presented and curated by StorytellART and hosted at The Lab Victoria, a thoughtfully designed yoga and wellness space in Victoria. Bringing together fifteen British Columbia artists across photography, painting, sculpture, and mixed media, the exhibition celebrated our connection to the ocean while raising funds for organizations working to protect it. You can explore the complete exhibition here.
One of the things that made this exhibition especially meaningful was the opportunity to work closely with curator Carolina Nakiri throughout the selection process. After I shared a collection of my photography and artwork, Carolina carefully selected four pieces that she felt best reflected both my artistic practice and the exhibition's ocean conservation theme.
Rather than creating a new body of work specifically for the exhibition, this collection brings together pieces that represent different ways I experience the coastline. From the energy of returning swells to the quiet details revealed by the tide, and from painted surfboard fins to fine art photography, each piece reflects years spent exploring, surfing, and observing the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Although I wasn't able to attend the opening in person, it was incredibly rewarding to see the exhibition come together through the photographs and stories that were shared afterward. Seeing such a diverse collection of work from artists across British Columbia was inspiring, with every artist bringing a unique perspective on our relationship with the ocean. It was an honour to have my work included alongside so many thoughtful and talented creators.
The four pieces selected for the exhibition include my fine art photographs Return of the Swell and The Mellowing, along with two original painted fins, Inside Peak and Cedar Sound. While each explores a different subject, together they reflect the landscapes, coastlines, and moments that continue to shape both my photography and artwork.
While the opening exhibition has now concluded, The Giving Ocean continues online through StorytellART's virtual gallery. My four pieces remain available to view alongside the full collection, with 25% of every sale supporting the Surfrider Foundation, Georgia Strait Alliance, and Canadian Conservation Photographers Collective, helping support the organizations working to protect the coastlines that have inspired my work for years.
If one of these pieces resonates with you, I'd be honoured for you to give it a place in your home while also supporting the important conservation work at the heart of this exhibition. You can view the complete collection here.
Thank you to StorytellART, Carolina Nakiri, and everyone involved in bringing The Giving Ocean to life. It is a privilege to have my work included in an exhibition that celebrates not only the beauty of our coastline, but also the collective effort to protect it for future generations.
If you're interested in seeing more of my work beyond this exhibition, you can also explore my Fine Art Gallery here.