Strong women, it seems, are everywhere. It may just be that I need to see them now more than ever, and so my eyes are watching, waiting for the next bit of inspiration and reminder that I am a blessed species. With Women’s Day just last Wednesday the Susan Point Exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery has been forefront in my mind. I have had a week to mull over what I saw and what was significant enough to share. Here are some of the highlights and ways that Susan Point reached me in her show:
1. Point Touches the Feminine Spirit
Susan Point’s work has a design edge, it’s true. This is something I love about her work. It’s not airy fairy, but reaches out in a strong, possibly masculine way. However, she doesn’t sacrifice spirit in her work. The feminine, emotional, ever changing chaotic universe finds its way into Susan Point’s work at every turn.
2. The Exhibit was Full of Female Art Viewers
This was perhaps not Susan Point’s intention, but this show, so representative of women everywhere and their potential, brought with it women of all ages. I loved walking through the exhibit and seeing sisters, mother/daughter and girlfriends walking through and appreciating the exhibit.
3. The Show Never Stopped Moving, Not for a Second.
Every piece in Point’s show was fluid, in motion and ever changing. Each piece transitioned the viewer into the next. I found myself circling back to parts of the exhibit I had already seen. Then I found myself circling individual pieces, almost involuntarily, looking for the perfect angle for a photograph and never quite finding it. The pieces were alive and to find the perfect photo would stop the motion in its tracks. Although I hope you enjoy some of my attempts at trapping the movement, the show must be seen in person to truly appreciate how alive it is.
4. When Point Uses Colour it is Bold, When She Doesn’t She is Unapologetic
Point is either no holds barred, colour passionate, or she is supremely minimalistic and there is not much in between. She includes everything from fuchsia to turquoise to mustard yellow and then without a second thought, draws you in like a magnet to the subtle yet powerful etching designs on her clear glass spindle whorls.
5. The Show Honours BC First Nations Culture and Art
Point is probably the most prominent female First Nations contemporary artist and I loved seeing her art so honoured. I think that one of the most unique things about BC’s art world is that there is such a strong presence of indigenous art and it’s not considered kitschy art – it stands on its own as an art form. Having a major solo exhibit in the most prominent art gallery in all of BC demonstrates that Point, as well as her culture’s art form, has an esteemed place among her contemporaries in the BC art world.
Little City Arts 
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