Children and adults with autism and diverse developmental needs will have a chance to enjoy an afternoon of art with a new touch-based interactive installations.
Artist Katherine Duclos is inviting visitors to her solo exhibition called “Reappraisal”, as part of a free sensory-inclusive day, at the ACT Art Gallery, in which many of the artworks are designed to be touched, rearranged, and interacted with – all within a welcoming and calm environment.
In the exhibit, Duclos reconsiders what holds value by questioning her own within art-making, gender, and societal expectations.
Drawing from her childhood, teen years, and influence of her grandmothers, Duclos re-evaluates her personal experiences in multidisciplinary mediums.
She sources materials directly from or inspired by her family homes such as curtains, bed sheets, window screens, and collections of milk glass that were formerly off-limits decorations in her grandmother’s home, to create installations, sculptures, paintings, and digital artworks.
By reconstructing inner worlds and past environments in a process of re-parenting, Duclos has reoriented herself in the present.
Duclos is a neurodivergent woman herself, and is intent on creating safe spaces where art can be enjoyed through a hands-on approach.
“Many autistic brains process the world through touch… at “Reappraisal”, you can touch,” said the artist. “I made this show for accessibility reasons. I wanted everybody to come, enjoy, and process.”
Interactive elements include what Duclos calls “tools for viewing” like hand mirrors, viewfinders, coloured lenses, and magnifying glasses.
A scavenger hunt encourages close looking, while regulation stations invite visitors to arrange and compose artworks using materials from the exhibition itself.
Duclos is based out of Vancouver. She received her Masters of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York in 2011.
Born in Massachusetts, she moved from New York City to Vancouver in 2017, where she maintains an active multi-media studio practice.
Her work, which reflects her engagement with family, environment, and her experience as a gifted and disabled autistic woman and mother, has been featured in Colossal, Design Milk, School Arts Magazine, Design Boom, LABEL Magazine, CBC Arts and Radio, and The Globe and Mail.
The free sensory-inclusive day will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, at 11944 Haney Place.
“”Reappraisal” reflects the city’s commitment to accessibility, engagement, and inclusive creative practices,” explained Russ Brummer, the manager of arts, culture and events.
“We’re proud to open this new chapter of The ACT Art Gallery with an exhibition that welcomes curiosity, play, and multiple ways of experiencing art,” he added.
Families are encouraged to pre-register for the event at Purchase.MapleRidgeACT.ca or by calling the Ticket Centre at 604-476-2787 ext. 1.
Duclos will also be hosting an artist talk about the exhibition from 2-3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28.
The artist will be telling in-depth anecdotes about the exhibition’s inspiration, origin, and creation process. There will also be a question and answer segment, with the special event being streamed live on the @ArtsMapleRidge Instagram account.
The ACT Art Gallery is owned and operated by the City of Maple Ridge and is located within The ACT Arts Centre.
The gallery presents rotating exhibitions year-long, featuring emerging, and mid-career artists from across the region and beyond.
Duclos’ exhibition runs until Saturday, March 21.