In her exhibition Historia Atlantica – Wunderkammers, Lunenburg artist Su Rogers displays miniature assemblages of curiosity inside reworked vintage cabinets. Focusing on the history, traditions, religious values, and material culture of the Maritime fishing communities, these wunderkammers contain historical relics from the fishery. See Historia Atlantica – Wunderkammers in the Corridor Gallery November 2 – December 14. Can’t make it to the Corridor in person? Check out the video tour of the exhibition on YouTube:

Of her work, Rogers writes:
My art (primarily large-format oil paintings) has long been focused on the history, traditions, religious values, and material culture of the Maritime fishing communities. This focus is inspired by both my own heritage and my deep respect for the men and women who earn their living from the sea. It is also inspired by my concerns regarding environmental degradation and. the threat of future ecological crises, including the continuing desertification of the oceans.

For several years, I have somewhat haphazardly accumulated a sizeable collection of vintage artifacts (especially handmade) relating to the fishery. I drew inspiration from these objects in my art practice, as they offered a tangible connection with my own ancestors and the larger history of the South Shore fishing communities. However, as the collection grew, I began to realize that these found objects offered an opportunity to explore a different kind of artmaking for me.

Long fascinated by Medieval reliquaries, Victorian curio collections, the work of Joseph Cornell, and the idiosyncratic museum curatorship of the Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk, I began to assemble the objects in combinations that were intended to transform their context, significance, and impact–in much the same way that “found poetry” can reshape a piece of prose so that it is experienced in a new, more evocative and powerful way. I also intentionally overlaid the work with religious references, underlining the critical role of the church in fishing communities. The resulting mixed media assemblages are intended to serve as modern reliquaries, evoking a way of life in all its complex and difficult glory.

Su Rogers has been painting for nearly 35 years. A graduate of NSCAD (1984), her studio is located in Lunenburg, NS. Rogers’ work is focused on and connected to the sea including weather, vessels, fishing tools and sea workers – Seaward Lives depicted in one form or another.  She often includes text to navigate the narrative in each piece and give more dimension to the work. Rogers’ combs yard sales and vintage shops for fishing related items and brings them together in assemblages or as subjects in paintings.

Featured image: Hope ‘n Hell, mixed media assemblage, found & rejigged vintage cabinet, found fishing tools, 19″ x 17” x 11″. Photo by Lisa Buchanan.

Located inside the Visual Arts Nova Scotia office at the Halifax Seaport since 2000, the Corridor Gallery is complemented by simple yet modern architectural elements and an array of current cultural activity in the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia office. The Corridor Gallery is located at 1113 Marginal Road, Kjipuktuk/ Halifax, NS, situated on unceded Mi’kmaq territory.

The VANS office will be open by appointment during this exhibition, so we recommend calling or emailing before you arrive to ensure that the Corridor is staffed. All visitors to the office must wear a mask, practice distancing, and sanitize hands upon arrival. In consideration of the size of the office and the Corridor Gallery, only two visitors are permitted at a time.

Visual Arts Nova Scotia advances the visual arts through leadership, education, and communication.

High resolution image for press available via Dropbox. See more of Su Rogers’ work on her website su-rogers-artist.com, Artist Page, Facebook, or her Instagram: @rogersbell.

For further information or to make an appointment to view the exhibition please contact:
Carri MacKay
Programming Coordinator, Visual Arts Nova Scotia
communicate@visualarts.ns.ca | www.visualarts.ns.ca