"Master of Ceremony" by Shawn Hunt, courtesy Vancouver Art Gallery
More than 20 artists reinterpret traditional Native motifs using modern mediums in Beat Nation: Art, Hip Hop and Aboriginal Culture at Vancouver Art Gallery (to Jun. 3). The innovative installations show how urban culture shapes aboriginal identity.—Kristina Urquhart
"Waterfall V" by Eva Kolacz
Painting is the poetry of sight—at least that’s true for Eva Kolacz, whose love affair with words and music inspired her collection of expressive artworks. Kolacz, originally a puppeteer, uses light and shadow on canvas to create a window to a magical universe, much like the stages of her puppet shows past (“Waterfall V,” pictured). Explore Kolacz’s textured world at Kurbatoff Gallery (May 10 to 24).—Caitlin Dawson
"Janie Jones" by Alex Couwenberg
Less is more. That statement perfectly describes the minimalist work of Alex Couwenberg, whose visually arresting paintings strike a balance between emotion-evoking expressionism and hard-edged abstraction. The LA-based artist crafts unusual layered pieces with visible underpainting, using bold lines and graphic shapes that hark back to the mid-century modern school of design (“Janie Jones,” pictured). Jennifer Kostuik Gallery mounts the first exhibition of Couwenberg’s work in Canada (to May 13).—Kristina Urquhart
"Canoe" by Doug Cranmer, photo courtesy RBCM and Museum of Anthropology
See the work of a Northwest Coast visionary in Kesu’: The Art and Life of Doug Cranmer at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC (to Sept. 3). The retrospective includes totem poles, masks, bentwood boxes and prints (“Canoe,” pictured), all done in the colourful, punchy style associated with the Kwakwaka’wakw artist’s work. —Kristina Urquhart
Artist Hua Jin exhibits her photography at Richmond Art Gallery
Explore the consequences of China’s one-child-per-family policy through photography and video by former Shanghai resident Hua Jin in her exhibit My Big Family. Jin, a first-generation “only” child, uses her own experiences to examine the repercussions of this rule on not only families, but the community and country, too. View her work at the Richmond Art Gallery (Apr. 20 to Jun. 10).—Jennifer Patterson
"Beluga Whales, 2011" by Tim Pitsiulak
In Myth and Machine at Inuit Gallery of Vancouver (Apr. 14 to May 4), Cape Dorset artist Tim Pitsiulak creates contemporary coloured-pencil drawings that illustrate both Inuit legend and reality. In addition to wildlife pieces (“Beluga Whales, 2011,” pictured), you’ll see Pitsiulak’s detailed compositions of snowmobiles and boats, integral to life in the vast Arctic.—Kristina Urquhart
"Abundance Fenced" by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas. Photo by KK Law
Vancouver’s public-art scene just got a little edgier with “Abundance Fenced” (pictured) by Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas. The First Nations artist fuses Northwest Coast motifs with Japanese graphics, which he’s dubbed “Haida manga.” The sculpture, atop a retaining wall at the Knight Street and 33rd Avenue intersection, depicts orcas pursuing salmon and is inspired by the bountiful Fraser River salmon run of 2010.—Kristina Urquhart
"The Believer" by Gavin Murphy is one of the photographs on display for "Transitions."
Local photographer Gavin Murphy is using his art to support a good cause. Until April 6, proceeds from his latest fundraising exhibition will go to the organization Breast Cancer Action Ottawa. Entitled “Transitions presented by Meridian,” the show features portraits of women of all shapes, sizes, ages, races, and backgrounds. These inspiring photos are an apt celebration of women, while also raising money to support survivors of a disease that targets people from all walks of life. On view at Gallery Farina, 216 Elgin St., and Meridian Credit Union, 99 Bank St., 613-741-4029.
"Nest Mandala II" by Suzanne Northcott
Check out the contemporary paintings and drawings in New Work by Suzanne Northcott, a local mixed-media artist who favours the themes of transformation and migration (“Nest Mandala II,” pictured). At Granville Fine Art (Mar. 24 to 30).—Kristina Urquhart
"Floating Village, Cambodia" by David Burdeny
Fresh off a trip to Southeast Asia, local photographer David Burdeny presents chromogenic prints in Traverse at Jennifer Kostuik Gallery (Mar. 8 to Apr. 8). He creates these stunning photos by layering dye over a silver-halide image (“Floating Village, Cambodia,” pictured), his works often a commentary on the human condition.—Kristina Urquhart
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