A Double-Bill Art Event on Granville Island: Debra Sparrow and Wil Aballe
March 24, 2025
About This Project
This is a CASV members-only event.
Click here for information on how you can become a member.
A Double-Bill Art Event on Granville Island: Debra Sparrow and Wil Aballe
March 24, 2025 | 6:30-8:30 PM
Join us for a Granville Island double bill special event! Renowned artist Debra Sparrow, born and raised on the Musqueam Indian Reserve and self-taught in Salish design and jewellery-making, creates contemporary work that combines textile and Salish design into geometric, hand-spun blankets and hangings. Her work can be seen in various museums and institutions. As an active educator, Debra will give CASV members a special tour of her studio and share her knowledge of Salish weaving. This will be followed by a private tour with artist Justin Somjen to explore his latest exhibition, Spines, at Wil Aballe Gallery.
Justin Somjen is a Canadian artist currently residing in Vancouver on the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. He has exhibited in Canada, the United States, and Belgium and holds a BFA in Photography from Toronto Metropolitan University and an MFA in Sculpture from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. His artistic practice explores the intricate relationship between decoration and protection. His current work is rooted in historical research and biological studies, examining the symbiotic connections among humans, plants, and animals. Somjen creates relief sculptures reminiscent of architectural forms, which, for him, symbolize human protection. His decorative relief sculptures draw inspiration from a diverse range of architectural styles, including Art Nouveau, Baroque, Gothic, and Classical. Through his work, he suggests that ornaments function as cultural structures that shape meaning while also investigating how these meanings shift, evolve, and are reinterpreted over time.
We hope you can join us!
Click here for information on how to become a member.