Lethbridge welcomes back several artists who studied together at the University of Lethbridge in the early ’90s.
Bridge: A Group Exhibition features the work of Izmer Ahmad, George Ho, Yoko Takashima and Robert Bechtel. The opening reception is 7 p.m., Jan. 9. It runs until Feb. 26.
went their separate wa
ys, until Hong Kong born, Victoria based artist George Ho contacted Lethbridge based painter Robert Bechtel about reuniting the old gang for an exhibit. The only artist unable to be here for the opening is Malaysia based Izmer Ahmad who is teaching at the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
It’s something we’ve been working on for a while,” said Bechtel, crediting George Ho for getting the ball rolling.
“ They all went to school together in at the U of L in the ealy ’90s, some moved to other locations and some stayed. This brings them back to where they started,” said Casa curator Darcy Logan.
“It brings people from diverse cultural backgrounds back to to our community,” he continued.
Japan born, Victoria based artist Yoko Takashima’s multi-media piece features mashups of 38 different people singing Simon and Garfunkel’s hit “ Bridge over Troubled Water,” in front of a background film of various images ranging from serene oceanic scenes to atomic bomb explosions.
A friend of hers created the algorithm Max MSB used to choose the different singers.
Bechtel was pleased to get the show on the road when Ho contacted him with the idea.
“We grew up together as artists,” he said.
“But you can still see some of the themes we are still working with,” he said indicating their earlier works.
“ We studied together 20 years ago and we’re from different parts of the world,” said George Ho, installing his 3D printed sculpture of a stack of skulls.
I like how our work has evolved in a more mature way,” he observed.
“ It is interesting how we’ve all changed,” he observed.
The opening reception is at 7 p.m., Jan. 9 at Casa.
