KW Art Gallery opens 2nd instalment of exhibit that explores stories of survival

The KW Art Gallery is opening its doors to the public on Friday forthe second instalment of a three-part exhibit, which explores stories of survival through different mediums.

"This exhibition addresses the theme of survivalin a number of different ways and it's been a long time coming, coming out of the pandemic where it seemed everyday was a negotiation about survival," Darryn Doull, curator of the exhibit at the gallery told CBC's Kitchener-Waterloo'sThe Morning Edition.

The second instalment of SOS: A Story of Survival, focuses on the survival of the body, Doull said. The third instalment, which will launch in 2024, looks at the survival of the planet.

The exhibit features photography, video, paintings and sculptures fromover a dozenlocaland national artists. Doull said some of the pieces are part of different collections and some are brand new.

Though there may be a darkness to the exhibit, Doull said the message of hope is also intertwined throughout the exhibition.

A piece from Paul Roordacalled Tallyembodies that message well, Doull said. The piece is of a retired mortuary tray sourced from a hospital in southern Ontario that has tallies surrounding a polished silhouette of a body.

"Working through the pandemic he found in times of these disastersand in times of stories of survival, often these things get reduced to tallies," Doull said.

"From far away you sort of get this wobbly, funny carnival experience of a fun house mirror, but as you get closer your own reflection comesinto focus and what you end up seeing is your own face looking back at you."

Doull said from the viewer's perspective, it may cause them to reflect on their relationship with the tallies. Roorda's piece isan example of how the objects in the exhibition work on the viewers.

"It's not about dwelling on the past, it's not about dwelling on the damage that's already been done, but about how we're coming together moving into the future in a state of mutual aid and supporting one another," he said.

It's a message Doull says he hopes viewers take away from the exhibit. On Friday, the gallery will have amembers preview of the exhibit starting at 6 p.m. Doors open to the general public at7 p.m.