News release: September 13, 2023
This fall immerse yourself from Bliss to Abyss in exciting new exhibitions at PAMA!
BRAMPTON, ON (September 13, 2023) - This fall Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) presents a unique immersive art experience with the exhibition In her Garden, an epic narrative of humanity's path from happy beginnings to eventual environmental devastation. This exhibition pairs Toronto-based artist Amanda McCavour with Montreal-based artist Jannick Deslauriers. PAMA's new outdoor art installation from Niagara region's artists Dillon Douglas and Chris Louis continue with the theme of looking at humanity’s journey on earth, combining their painterly imagery in Paradise Lost where a vibrant earth turns into a wasteland. Seize the opportunity to meet all the artists at the Opening Reception for our Fall Exhibitions scheduled for Friday, September 29, 7 - 9 p.m.
In Her Garden: Amanda McCavour and Jannick Deslauriers
Sept. 30, 2023 - February 20, 2024
This exhibition brings together the delicate, sculptural installations of Toronto-based artist Amanda McCavour and Montreal-based artist Jannick Deslauriers. Each, through her own feminine lens, imagines a hybrid of quasi-real and quasi-fantastical realms of existence.
Using only thread in her stitched drawings of flowers, McCavour crafts a Floating Garden sprouting from above and suspended in mid-air. It is a colourful garden of romantic charm. Each strung flower, soft and slight, gracefully sways from side to side, in unison with its neighbouring blooms, as bodies pass by, disturbing them from their resting place and deceptively permeating their imagined fresh scent throughout the Garden.
Conversely, Deslauriers has created a world of black and white, devoid of botanical bliss, where colour, like life, has been sucked out. Her mixed media Phasmes (Phasmids) recalls an abandoned amusement park, a nuclear disaster zone of Chernobyl proportions, or a war-torn region. It is the sad conclusion of an environmental tragedy spurred on by human neglect, error, or explosive aggression. One enters this "contained space" through a plastic curtain at their own risk.
Paradise Lost: Dillon Douglas and Chris Louis
Sept. 27, 2023 - March 10, 2024
Niagara region’s artists Dillon Douglas and Chris Louis combine their painterly imagery in Paradise Lost, a tryptic digital composition (across three outdoor banners) where a healthy, verdant planet Earth turns into a wasteland. Packed with repetitive and overlapping motifs, both comical and strange, Douglas and Louis take us on a humbling journey of human failure (on a monumental scale) to caution us of a bleak future of our own making.
Fall Exhibitions Opening Reception
Sept. 29, 7 - 9 p.m.
You're invited to the opening reception of our must-see exhibitions, In Her Garden: Amanda McCavour and Jannick Deslauriers and Paradise Lost: Dillon Douglas and Chris Louis.
Meet the artists, enjoy food and refreshments, and immerse yourself in art.
Free event, but donations are welcomed. RSVP to PAMAeventRSVP@peelregion.ca by Sept. 21, 2023.
Unique Workshops Inspired by In Her Garden
- Terrarium Workshop with Alexscapes | Oct. 1, 2 - 3:45 p.m.
- Gothic Block Print Workshop | Oct. 29, 1:30 - 4 p.m.
- Silk Screening Workshop with Brampton Library and local artist Aditi Ganeev Sangwan | Nov. 2, 6:30 - 8:45 p.m.
- Connections Art and Book Club with Brampton Library | Nov. 23, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
- PAMA Kids PA Day Workshop: Soft Sculpture with artist Amanda McCavour (Ages 6-12) | Nov. 24, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Embroidered Botany Workshop with artist Amanda McCavour | Nov. 25, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Watercolour Botanical Cards Workshop | Dec. 2, 2 - 4 p.m.
Prices vary, check our event calendar for all the details and reserve your spot today!
In Her Garden exhibition
Amanda and Jannick are two remarkable and successful artists in their own right. Bringing them together for this exhibition highlights the breathtaking installation work that they are making using traditional female-based textile craft. When you leave the exhibition, you will hopefully consider the world we live in and what role we play to ensure its continuous health or its eventual destruction.
Sharona Adamowicz-Clements, Curator of Art at PAMA
About PAMA
PAMA is a place to explore and learn about Peel region's culture and heritage, as well as use conversation, questions and stories to help make new and fascinating connections to the surrounding community. Throughout the year, PAMA offers a variety of workshops and programs for all ages, families and adults. With so many different programs to choose from, PAMA has something for everyone. Operated by Peel Region, PAMA is located at 9 Wellington Street East in Brampton. Visit pama.peelregion.ca to learn more.
Learn more about Peel's continuing commitment to our community during our transition.
Media contact
Erin Fernandes
Marketing Specialist, PAMA
Tel: 416-312-3425
About Peel Region
In 2024, Peel Region marks its 50th anniversary. Peel Region works with residents and partners to create a healthy, safe, and connected Community for Life for approximately 1.5 million people and over 200,000 businesses in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon. Peel's services touch the lives of residents every day. For more information explore peelregion.ca and follow us on X @regionofpeel and Instagram @peelregion.ca.
On December 13, 2023, the Ontario government announced that Peel Region will not be dissolved, and that Bill 112 legislation will be updated to reflect service delivery in Peel. Services for residents and businesses will continue without interruption. For updates and more information, visit Peel's transition page.
