How do we describe and share our views of The Places We Live? Through the works in this exhibition we move from intimate space to vast space, from micro to macro considering the many ways that
artists relay their interpretations of the natural world, our place in it, and it’s place in us.

How we see ourselves, as humans, in relation to not only each other but to all living things impacts how we consider our responsibilities and roles in our respective ecosystems. Vanessa Andreotti, a
member of the Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures Collective, shares thoughts on this idea in relation to how their group positions their work:

“…the land is a living entity. It’s a metabolism too, that is alive, that dreams through us… we tend to see ourselves reflected in the land rather than the land reflected in us.”

The shift proposed here is to see ourselves as an extension of the land, rather than seeing the land as an extension of us. With these thoughts in mind we invite you to move through the three sections of this exhibition and: Look Closely to experience works that feature insects and bugs and the expansive ecosystems that exists all around us but are hidden or out of sight; Look Around and set your gaze outward at the vast landscapes, mountains, and waterways that support an immense amount of life in all forms; Look Up to the sky, the stars, planets, the vast cosmos that holds so much mystery and magic, the stuff of myths, legends, and imagination.

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is located on the traditional territory of the lək̓ʷəŋən speaking peoples, today known as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations. We extend our gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to live and work on this territory.

Videography and editing by Marina DiMaio.How do we describe and share our views of The Places We Live? Through the works in this exhibition we move from intimate space to vast space, from micro to macro considering the many ways that
artists relay their interpretations of the natural world, our place in it, and it’s place in us.  …