On View at The Gibson

exhibition

on view
Mar 7, 2026–Jun 14, 2026

Maggie Groat

S LOWER F: ACTIVITY BOOK

A grid of 36 colorful square images arranged on a bright yellow background. Each square contains various abstract shapes, lines, and patterns in diverse colors and textures, including geometric forms, stylized natural elements, and graphic motifs. The arrangement is organized into six rows and six columns.
Related Programs —
Spring Exhibition Opening Reception
event
A table with various playing cards and game boxes is set against a wall featuring a colorful mural of plants and patterns. The sunlight casts shadows on the wooden tabletop, highlighting scattered face-up playing cards.
Games Dayat the Gibson
event

exhibition

on view
Mar 7, 2026–Jun 14, 2026

Hannah Rickards

I am the infant and I am the bird 

A hummingbird hovers in front of a window, wings blurred from rapid movement. The background is slightly out of focus, with a light-colored surface reflecting a soft diffused light. The hummingbird’s iridescent feathers and long beak are visible as it appears to search for food.
Related Programs —
Spring Exhibition Opening Reception
event
Siobhan Angus in Conversation with Hannah Rickards
talk
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Programming

talk

on view
May 6, 2026–May 27, 2026

Rules of Play

Test Kitchen

A group of people are seated at a long, light-colored wooden table in a modern, brightly lit room. They are engaged in a discussion, with some facing a large presentation screen displaying a map. The room has large windows on one side, allowing natural light to stream in, and the walls are decorated with various portraits in muted colors. Attendees are dressed casually.

talk

on view
May 17, 2026, 12:00 PM

Writing to Resist

Creative Work

A person is holding a zine titled "The Norfolk Trans Joy Community Quilt Zine." The cover features a pastel background with black handwritten text and a transgender symbol. In the background, colorful spools of thread are visible on a shelf.

workshop

upcoming
May 18, 2026, 1:30 PM–5:00 PM

Drawing Realistically with Umulkheir Abdi

Teen Art Lab

A detailed pencil drawing of a seated couple, partially obscured by gold shapes over their faces. The man is wearing a suit and the woman is dressed in a flowing garment, decorated with floral patterns. They are positioned against a backdrop of draped fabric. Surrounding the couple are sketches of plants and scattered art materials, including pencils and erasers, on a work surface.

workshop

upcoming
May 24, 2026, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM

Kaleidoscopes and Viewfinders

Sunday Workshop

A view through a circular opening is shown, revealing a landscaped area with several bright orange chairs arranged in front of a modern building. The background features a mix of trees, a blue sky with clouds, and grass. The foreground is slightly blurred, emphasizing the view beyond the opening.

workshop

on view
May 2, 2026–Jun 14, 2026

Open Studio Saturdays

A flat lay of a crafting workspace featuring two collages: one depicts colored pencils in a container and the other shows cut-out cloud shapes on a blue background. Surrounding the collages are containers filled with colorful paper scraps, a bottle of school glue, a pair of scissors, and a pencil, all set on a brown paper surface.

special project

on view
Apr 12, 2026–Apr 12, 2027

Curatorial Portraits

Reading the 1980s and 90s

A conference room featuring a long wooden table surrounded by chairs. A woman sits at the table, examining a magazine. Behind her is a bookshelf filled with books and a large window that offers a view of the outside. Natural light streams in, casting shadows on the walls.
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From the SFU Art Collection

SFU Collection

Perspective

Salish Weave Collection of George and Christiane Smyth

A collection of wooden pencils arranged in two rows, with a decorative central piece featuring embossed abstract designs. The pencils have pointed tips, with some colored in a reddish hue, framed by a dark wooden casing around the decorative insert. The background is plain white, emphasizing the colorful and textured elements.
View SFU Art Collection

Recent Acquisitions

Every House I’ve Ever Lived In (Drawn From Memory)

A minimalist artwork featuring a delicate line drawing of a three-dimensional structure, centered on a blank, white background. The drawing is enclosed in a light wooden frame, highlighting its simplicity and emphasizing the intricate geometric forms depicted.

Alex Morrison, Every House I’ve Ever Lived In (Drawn From Memory) Johnson St. Victoria 1989, 2001. Pencil on paper. SFU Art Collection. Gift of Richard J. Balfour, 2024.

Atomic Fountain

An abstract artwork featuring a black background with various geometric shapes in vibrant colours, including red triangles, a blue rectangle, a yellow semi-circle, and a green square. The shapes are outlined in white and arranged in an asymmetrical composition, with horizontal and vertical lines guiding the viewer's eye. The title "Atomic Fountain" and the artist's name, "B.C. Binning," are written in white at the top and bottom corners.

Bertram Charles Binning, Atomic Fountain, 1953 [1994], serigraph on paper, printer’s proof, first edition. SFU Art Collection. Gift of Joan and Leon Tuey, 2023.

Rachel Topham Photography

Sea Drift II and Sea Drift III

An abstract painting featuring a dynamic mix of dark hues, with swirling blacks, reds, greens, and hints of light colors. The composition includes bold brush strokes and layered textures, creating a sense of movement and depth. Areas of contrast suggest fluid shapes and forms, evoking an emotional response.

Gordon Smith, Sea Drift II 1989. Acrylic on canvas. SFU Art Collection. Gift of Joan and Leon Tuey, 2023.

Rachel Topham Photography

who claims abstraction? studies

An abstract artwork featuring vertical stripes in colors like blue, green, orange, and brown. Overlaid on the stripes are large, curved shapes with defined outlines, adding depth and contrast to the composition. The background has a gradient effect, enhancing the vividness of the colors.

Francisco-Fernando Granados, who claims abstraction? study 2, 2023, digital print on paper. SFU Art Collection. Gift of the Artist, 2023.

Untitled (Geometric abstractions in red, blue, and yellow)

A black and white photograph features a distorted outline of a figure with multiple arms drawn in neon yellow. The figure is placed over an abstract background that includes a textured surface and draped fabric. The image is mounted on a white mat and displayed against a light blue wall.

Jo Cook, Untitled (Geometric abstractions in yellow), n.d. Gouache on photograph. SFU Art Collection. Gifts of Wesley Mulvin, 2024.

Rachel Topham Photography

Compacted Trash

A large, filled garbage bag is shown, made of translucent blue plastic, tied securely at the top. The bag contains various items, some of which are slightly visible through the plastic. The background is a light, neutral color, emphasizing the bag in the center of the image.

Kelly Wood, Compacted Trash, 2000. C-print. SFU Art Collection. Gift of Richard J. Balfour, 2024.

Bail

A layered, translucent sculpture showcasing a figure in a dynamic pose, appearing to skate or glide. The sculpture is primarily bright neon orange with accents of pink, creating a vibrant and eye-catching effect. The layers are intricately detailed, allowing light to pass through and highlighting the contours of the figure against a soft, neutral background.

Khan Lee, Bail, 2015, laser-cut plexiglass. SFU Art Collection. Gift of Coleen and Howard Nemtin, 2024.

Rachel Topham Photography

Hello!!!

A handwritten note on lined paper, featuring colorful text and a simple drawing of a red flower. The message expresses feelings of boredom and confusion about a relationship, asking for advice on romantic interests. Phrases are highlighted in pink and blue, with some words written in green and yellow. The note concludes with the phrase "nice flower hey!" below the drawing. The overall tone is informal and emotional.

Kyla Mallett, Hello!!!, 2004. LightJet print. SFU Art Collection. Gift of Coleen and Howard Nemtin, 2024.

Rachel Topham Photography

Crise

A stylized portrait of a face against a pink background. The face is predominantly black with thick, white lines creating texture and features. Large, oval eyes with pink irises and a white outline dominate the upper portion, while the mouth is depicted with three horizontal lines, suggesting lips, with a reddish-brown color. The overall composition combines bold colors and abstract forms.

Lyse Lemieux, Crise J1, 2011, ink, acrylic, and gouache on paper. SFU Art Collection. Gift of Ken Stephens, 2023.

Rachel Topham Photography

Domestic Space/Time Travel

A collection of various pottery items is displayed on a white table against a light gray background. The items include a grater, several bottles labeled for different substances (such as olive oil and sea salt), jars, a bowl with a spoon, plates, and small figurines. The pieces vary in shape and size, with some featuring detailed labels and embellishments. The overall arrangement is organized and showcases the artistic craftsmanship of the ceramic objects.

Maura Doyle, Domestic Space/Time Travel, 2012. Stoneware with underglaze. SFU Art Collection. Gift of the Artist, 2024.

Rachel Topham Photography

Proposed Layout for M.D. (Mark Dion)

A book cover featuring a collage of contrasting elements: a white architectural model of a building is overlaid on a chaotic scene of litter and discarded items, including colorful trash bags and cardboard boxes. Two birds are perched above the mess, and the title "PHAIDON" is displayed at the bottom. The background is a neutral wall.

Paul de Guzman, Proposed Layout for M.D. (Mark Dion), 2001, paper. SFU Art Collection. Gift of Robert Sherwood Thill in honor of L.A. Angelmaker's Dear History Correspondence, 2024.

Rachel Topham Photography

Kwagulth Sisiutl Hunter

A circular artwork featuring intricate designs inspired by indigenous art. The central composition showcases a stylized figure with animal motifs, prominently featuring bold black, red, and green colors against a cream background. The outer edge is bordered in dark, enhancing the overall contrast. The artist's signature and a title are included at the bottom.

Tom D. Hunt, Kwagulth Sisiutl Hunter, 1993. Screenprint on paper, edition A.P. 6/20.  SFU Art Collection. Gift of Gwynne Roseborough MEd., 2024.

Rachel Topham Photography

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