When Maple Ridge artist Kristin Krimmel was recently asked to show work from her Kimono Series for a display at the District of Maple Ridge, she had no idea of the events about to unfold with such tragic consequences in Japan.
The exhibition is part of a series of events leading up to Arts and Culture Week , a province-wide celebration of the arts from April 9 to 17.
“It was accidental that this exhibition coincided with the Japanese tragedy, but I hope this exhibition can serve as a tribute to the Japanese people and provide a focus for us here in Maple Ridge to think about their loss and their on-going challenge to rebuild in face of the catastrophic destruction that has occurred,” says Krimmel.
Rendered in oil on canvas, Krimmel’s work presents a kimono unfolded to reveal a scene of contemplation: with titles like Mock Orange, Beach Stones, and Morning Pond, the mood is undoubtedly Asian-infused and speaks to Kristin’s affinity with classic Japanese motifs.
“I’ve had a life long fascination with Japanese art and culture – its illusory simplicity that comes from hours and hours of meditative practice at one’s discipline, its elegance and austerity,” Krimmel said.
“This series came about through such a contemplative activity, considering and reconsidering my source photographs for inspiration. I spent hours working them to find reflective patterns with them while they repeated or mirrored themselves within a single image until I found ideas that went beyond the literal, images that contained deeper meaning.”
Watching the horrific scenes of loss and chaos following the recent Japanese earthquake, Maple Ridge Art Gallery’s curator Barbara Duncan suggested to Krimmel that the exhibition might be dedicated to the earthquake’s victims.
“This exhibition has something of a bittersweet feel to it,” says Duncan.
“I do feel that it was fortuitous that the display we planned evolved into a sort of elegy for the victims of the tragedy taking place in Japan. I hope people are moved by it and that they will possibly seek ways of contributing to the various funding efforts to aid survivors.”
• The Kimono Series is in the reception area of Maple Ridge’s municipal hall from April 1 until April. The area is open to the public from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.