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Current Exhibition

  • Off-site: The Annex Gallery
  • Pierre Luigi Vassura

    Reimaging Myth and Symbol

    January 7 - May 11, 2025

    Above: Pierre Luigi Vassura, 100 Serpents 100 Years of The..., n.d., enamel paint on poster board, 24" x 34", Courtesy of Ludmilla Vassura

    This exhibition honours the legacy of Pierre Luigi Vassura (1935–2024) through selected pieces from two captivating enamel painting series–Polychromatic Medusa Analogies (n.d.) and Chinese Zodiac Character Analogies (n.d.). These works delve into themes of mythology, cultural symbolism, and transformation.

    In Polychromatic Medusa Analogies, Vassura explores the complexity of Medusa’s narrative, a figure from Greek mythology often depicted as a Gorgon with snakes for hair whose gaze turned people to stone. Moving beyond her fearsome image, the series highlights themes of transformation through vibrant, dynamic compositions. Chinese Zodiac Character Analogies (featuring six of the twelve pieces from the series) reimagines the zodiac signs as intricate compositions inspired by currency bills, blending their rich traits and stories with elements of design and value. Through these imaginative interpretations, the series breathes new life into these ancient characters.

    Both series exemplify what Vassura described as Analogical Formalism, his distinctive style that combines shapes, colors, and forms into innovative compositions inspired by fables, fictional characters, and the world around him. Through this approach, he constructs spaces that ignite wonder and curiosity. Seamlessly bridging past and present, memory and imagination, Vassura’s work reflects the cyclical nature of life, capturing an endless journey of creative expression.

     

    Biography

    Pierre Luigi Vassura was a self-taught and accomplished visual artist whose career spanned graphic and ceramic arts before fully dedicating himself to his unique creative expression. Born in Italy just before World War II, he embarked on extensive travels throughout Europe, Israel, and North America. In 1980, he settled in Richmond, where he lived and worked until his passing. A member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and the Richmond Art Coalition, Vassura exhibited his works locally and internationally, earning numerous awards.


    The Annex Gallery is located in Richmond Cultural Centre Annex, 7660 Minoru Gate, Richmond, BC V6Y 1R8

    Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm

    Above: Pierre Luigi Vassura, 100 Serpents 100 Years of The..., n.d., enamel paint on poster board, 24" x 34", Courtesy of Ludmilla Vassura

    Hours

    Sunday 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
    Monday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Tuesday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Wednesday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Thursday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Friday 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Saturday 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

    Closed on statutory holidays.

    Current Exhibitions

    Admission

    By donation

    Location

    Richmond Cultural Centre
    7700 Minoru Gate
    Richmond, BC  V6Y 1R8
    Canada Line Station: Richmond-Brighouse

    604-247-8363
    gallery@richmond.ca

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