They say pictures speak a thousand words — and that’s what photographers (and brothers) Khim Mata Hipol and Karl Khim Mata Hipol hope to do with their latest exhibition in Burnaby.
The Deer Lake Gallery will host the photography exhibition Walking to Know the Land, featuring works by Khim and woven photographs by Karl from Aug. 26 to Oct. 1.
The exhibition will explore the personal effects of immigration. As immigrants themselves, from Philippines, walking was essential for the brothers to familiarize themselves with their “new homeland,” a press release noted.
The exhibit will explore themes of walking practice, seeking inspiration from artist Ernesto Pujol — “as flowing stillness, short walks, timeless walks, walking as decolonization, walking as a socially engaged practice.”
The Hipol brothers, having immigrated to Canada in 2015, are aware of the history of colonization in Canada and acknowledge that they are uninvited guests on the traditional lands throughout the exhibition.
While Khim photographs himself as “one with nature” on various North Vancouver trails, his brother, Karl, embarks on a historical journey by retracing photographs from the archival collection of UNESCO and National Geographic.
Through these photographs, Karl “deconstructs and reconstructs images by interweaving Filipino patterns to offer protection and a sense of interconnection,” according to the press release.
The images are said to encourage viewers to take their own “Walk.”
And to ponder where you will walk, how far will the journey take you, what you will leave behind at your destination and what you will carry home from the walk.
