Vancouver Art Gallery Launches Denyse Thomasos: 'just beyond' Exhibition

The Vancouver Art Gallery launched the Denyse Thomasos: just beyond exhibition with an exclusive preview and tour of the exhibition. Invited guests, patrons, respected creatives, and media were invited to preview a career retrospective honouring the late Trinidadian-Canadian artist, Denyse Thomasos (1964–2012). The exhibition showcased Thomasos’ large-scale abstract paintings that explored themes of migration, displacement, and cultural identity. Attendees were treated to an intimate look at Thomasos’ powerful and dynamic body of work, curated by the Vancouver Art Gallery. The event was flawlessly executed by aly armstrong event planning, ensuring that guests had an unforgettable and meaningful experience as they celebrated the life and art of Denyse Thomasos.

The exhibition, organized by the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, and Remai Modern, Saskatoon, presents a selection of Thomasos’ remarkable paintings, and works on paper (many of which have been rarely seen), alongside sketches, photographs and newly uncovered documentary footage of Thomasos working in her studio.

Denyse Thomasos: just beyond delves into the artist’s innovative use of formalist techniques to push the boundaries of abstraction, infusing personal and political narratives onto her canvases.

Thomasos was one of the most talented painters to emerge in the 1990s, yet her remarkable contributions to contemporary art have often been overlooked. Through the skillful manipulation of pattern, scale and repetition, Thomasos effectively communicates the vast and enduring impact of historical events, such as the transatlantic slave trade, without exploiting the imagery of those most affected by these events.

“Denyse Thomasos: just beyond is a testament to the power of art in preserving the stories of our past and shaping our future,” said Anthony Kiendl, CEO & Executive Director of the Vancouver Art Gallery. “We are pleased to share with audiences the profound and lasting impact of Thomasos’ work.”

The exhibition will feature over 60 of Thomasos’ exceptional works, offering a unique opportunity for audiences to explore her remarkable career and artistic evolution. These works will illuminate the depth of her innovative techniques and the intricacies of her thematic exploration. The exhibition will include videos shedding light on the legacy and artistry of Thomasos through in-depth glimpses of her professional life.

Denyse Thomasos: just beyond opens on November 10, 2023 and is on view through March 24, 2024 and is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue which will be available for purchase at the Gallery Store.

Organized by the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto and Remai Modern, Saskatoon, and curated by Michelle Jacques, Head of Exhibitions and Collections/Chief Curator, Remai Modern; Sally Frater, Curator of Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of Guelph; and Renée van der Avoird, Associate Curator, Canadian Art, Art Gallery of Ontario. Circulated with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

For more information, please visit the Vancouver Art Gallery website here.

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Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer: Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.