Okanagan and Columbia Basin landscapes formed the inspiration behind the presentation of watercolour paintings at the Kelowna Art Gallery.
Carolyn MacHardy, the guest curator and art historian, has chosen to feature two British-born artists, Nellie Duke and Sophie Atkinson, who were active in the area in the 20th century, for an exhibition titled Geography Lessons.
“Looking at the geography of this region through the eyes of Nellie Duke and Sophie Atkinson, we see a land where the Illecillewaet Glacier had not yet almost completely receded,” MacHardy explains.
“Where a view to the west from the east side of Kalamalka Lake did not reveal the slash of a four-lane highway, and where the tops of hills had not been shaved off for development.”
In 1926, Duke and Atkinson arrived in BC and became active in the local arts community.
Their separate, but similar, life paths overlapped in their explorations of the Okanagan Valley and Interior BC, which became the primary subject matter for their watercolour paintings.
Despite the challenges of making a living as an artist during this period, both Duke and Atkinson made artwork that was greatly valued by the people in their respective communities.
Duke lived from 1889 to 1980 and Atkinson lived from 1876 to 1972.
Geography Lessons will be featured at the gallery from May 13 to Aug. 20.
Visitors will have the opportunity to view over 40 watercolour paintings, which are on loan from private collections and public art galleries and museums across BC.
A free opening reception to celebrate the exhibition is planned for May 12 from 6 to 8 pm.
