Lindsey Tyne Johnson
April 3 – May 9
Viewers stepping into the world of The Irish Mazzaroth are invited on a journey that challenges the conventional boundaries of identity by playfully reimagining culture. Through the tradition of storytelling and the generous landscapes of Ireland, this group of digital illustrations gently portrays a story of shared resilience. Whether found around a Seder table, in the melodies that fill an Irish pub, or in the alluring mysticism that fills a starlit sky—these images connect the enduring spirit of celebration, even in the face of adversity. This whimsical exploration celebrates the Irish and Jewish peoples’ distinct histories while upholding their greatest shared tradition: joy. The Mazzaroth takes direct inspiration from the 6th-century depiction of the zodiac on the mosaic in Beit Alfa, Israel.
Hebrew Spelled Backwards debuted at the Kamloops Art Gallery in 2023, presenting a series of illustrations that delve into uncovering one’s Jewish ancestry. These artworks traverse a spectrum of experiences and emotions, from initial curiosity and confusion to moments of connection and understanding. The centrepiece of this exhibition is a spirit board that intriguingly spells the Aleph Bet from left to right, diverging from the traditional right-to-left orientation of Hebrew. This reversal highlights the sometimes disorienting process of exploring one’s roots but also reflects the broader theme of reacquainting oneself with a heritage that may feel both intimately familiar and strangely foreign. Doing so invites viewers to contemplate the nuances of identity and what it means to belong in a foreign world.
ILLUSTRATION: Irish Mazzaroth Scorpio-10
The Docent Program will be a group of trained volunteers who function as part-time gallery docents. Those interested in being docents will be trained by the Gallery Director in late summer or early fall, and, once trained, will receive a briefing on all exhibits. Docents will average one four-hour shift a week. A docent calendar will be managed by the Gallery Director. Email gallery@jccgv.bc.ca for more information, and to sign up to participate.
The Sidney and Gertrude Zack Gallery at the JCC of Greater Vancouver invites artists of all ages, religions, cultures, career stages, and backgrounds to submit proposals for exhibitions in 2024. Proposals for art of any medium (performance, mixed media, 2-D and 3-D visual arts, digital and film etc.) will be accepted. Individual and group shows will be considered.
Our call for artists opens in June and the deadline for proposals is September 30 of each year. Please email gallery@jccgv.bc.ca to be placed on our email list so you can be informed when our next call is live.
Please contact the gallery by emailing gallery@jccgv.b.ca for any information, or if you’d like to be on our email list.
COPYRIGHT: Each artist owns the copyright in his/her respective images. These images may not be copied, modified, duplicated or used in any way without the express prior written consent of the artist.