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Arts Alive gives Oak Bay residents a voice in public art

This year’s competition continues until the end of October

Each year the Oak Bay Parks, Recreation and Culture Department offers a chance to choose the art that will grace the streets of Oak Bay community. The program started in 2016 and has been an annual part of the community’s cultural landscape since.

The sculptures under consideration are first selected by a peer jury and then placed on display for up to a year at various outdoor sites. The works are on temporary loan by the artists who, in turn, are sponsored by a local business or community group.

The Municipality of Oak Bay then considers purchasing one or more of the pieces on display to become a part of its permanent public art collection. The municipality annually budgets $20,000 for that purpose.

That consideration, though, is guided by the public who is invited to see the artwork and then vote for a personal favourite. Each year Oak Bay council considers purchase of a sculpture from the program based on an arts jury recommendation of the top three selections from the people’s choice voting.

The project was conceived and championed by Oak Bay Arts Laureate Barbara Adams, who came up with the concept in 2014 and whose vision and leadership was a major contributor to the community’s reputation as a destination for arts and culture.

This year, the theme for the sculptures under consideration is “Beyond the Surface”, with each of the pieces making a statement on the natural world.

The first of the sculptures is a piece by Erick James, a biologist and artist whose work displays the wonders of nature. A scientist as well as an artist, James has worked in labs for more than 20 years and said he still finds wonder and excitement in the things he studies. He conveys that excitement through his works of art.

His piece, ‘Nautilus ferratus’, is as much a commentary on today’s world of misinformation as it is on nature. It depicts a creature that resides within its protective armour, watching and exploring with probing tentacles. This engaging work can be viewed at Oak Bay Avenue at Hampshire.

Next is a work by Paul Reimer called ‘Illumination’. Reimer, a Cranbrook native and self-described artist-blacksmith, has created a stunning metal depiction of fire, inviting viewers to consider the deeper meaning of fire, warmth and light.

“The image of fire speaks to shining a light on the issues faced by our communities today and that these issues are only truly solved by people connecting with each other in a spirit of openness and inclusiveness,” said Reimer.

‘Illumination is on display at Lokier Park.

‘Megaptera (Humpback Whale)’ is another of the pieces under consideration. This work by a father and sons trio, Nathan, Cyrus (aged 17) and Sabian (aged 14) Smith, depicts the tail of a humpback whale diving “beyond the surface”. It invites viewers to use their imagination to consider what lies beyond their vision. What is the whale seeing and what will it see when it completes its dive?

Both Cyrus and Sabian are artists in training and already have several recognized works under their belts. To see this work, visit Haynes Park.

Next up is ‘Fine’, a delicate representation of the silhouette of an eye by a B.C. artist Lisa Huth.

“My sculpture represents the answer so many of us give to the question 'How are you?' However, that seldom is the truth, and by looking 'Beyond the Surface' we can hopefully find the real answer,” said Huth. “Inside the pupil, heavy waves crash against each other. My hope is that 'Fine' can open up communication and help anyone going through a difficult time.”

‘Fine’ can be viewed at McNeill Bay.

In a departure from the metal works listed to this point, ‘Adage’ by David Martinello uses wood as the primary material.

“My approach to art comes from an experience that we can all relate to. Admiring the breadth of a tree or picking up a stick to inspect its beauty,” said Martinello. “For me, an evaluation of wood is a way to make sense of my surroundings.”

His largely wooden sculpture does just that. This piece is currently on display at Oak Bay Avenue at Hampshire.

‘Harmony Unveiled’ by Tarcila Neves is a visual treat, but it has the added feature of using QR codes to allow viewers to delve deeper into the work and reflect on the intricate relationship between nature and technology.

“I want to raise awareness about endangered species,” said Neves. “‘Harmony Unveiled’ not only transcends traditional sculpture but also serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need to safeguard our environment.”

This unique sculpture is on display at Cadboro Bay Road.

Finally, in a piece that was created to represent peace and unity, ‘Swan’ by Geemon Meng is a stylistic representation of a swan. The sculpture is crafted from fibreglass and foam and is a distinctive blue colour.

“The swan’s light blue colour is similar to the colour of the flags and clothing donned by United Nations peacekeepers,” said Meng. “Its form harmoniously coexists with its surrounding environment, just as we coexist with the great natural diversity of this province, and even some native species of swans as well.”

This piece can be viewed on Oak Bay Avenue.

A map of all sculpture locations can be found at www.oakbay.ca/sites/default/files/OBAC_2024_ArtsAliveMap.pdf.

Viewers can vote on which of the pieces should find a permanent home in Oak Bay. Votes can be cast by visiting www.oakbay.ca/parks-recreation/arts-culture/arts-alive/arts-alive-sculpture-vote. Voting is open until the beginning of November, so don’t miss your chance to participate.

To see past entries into this competition as well as a listing of the permanent sculptures on display in Oak Bay, visit www.oakbay.ca/parks-recreation/arts-culture/artsalive/artsalive-permanent-public-art.