A Burnaby artist uses mixed media quilting to explore humanity’s interaction with crows.
Commonalities: Our Relationship with Crows, featuring the work of Jennie Johnston, is on view at the community office of Burnaby North MLA Janet Routledge from Monday, Sept. 10 to Friday, Oct. 26.
A press release notes that Johnston began her crow research in 2016 and created a body of work exploring how humans and crows coexist. She uses fabric, thread and paint in a distinct style of mixed media quilting to explore that relationship.
“Throughout history, whether seen as familiars guiding us or messengers of doom, crows have been integrated into our folklore and daily lives,” the release says. “This work explores the relationship people have with crows, contrasts our bodies, links our spirits and moves us to investigate our uncomfortable fascination with a very common bird.”
Johnston’s work may be familiar to some Burnaby residents already; over the 2017/18 school year, she was artist-in-residence at Forest Grove Elementary School. During her residency, more than 300 students worked to create four unique quilts and learn traditional and artistic textile skills.
Johnston’s work is featured alongside other Western Canadian artist in the Imago Mundi Oh West Canada! book and has been seen in group shows in Canada, the U.S. and Italy.
Routledge’s office is at 1833 Willingdon Ave., Burnaby. It’s open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.; call ahead to confirm office hours at 604-775-0778.
For more on the artist, see www.jenniejohnston.com.
