Ice Cream Lady, Eric Metcalfe, 1969

April 24 – September 22, 2008

Maltwood Art Museum and Gallery

Curated by Caroline Riedel with Marlaina Buch, Leanne Dmyterko, Kathleen Trainer, and Cindy Vance

Highlights a dynamic selection of Pop and Op art from the University of Victoria art collection. Rarely exhibited works, including those by American icons Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns, and Andy Warhol are shown alongside recent acquisitions by contemporary West Coast Canadian artists Eric Metcalfe, Carl Beam, Harry Stanbridge, and Michael Morris.

The exhibit’s “parallel visions” theme focuses on three main ideas: First, both Pop and Op art reacted to and expanded upon Abstract Expressionism, the dominant art movement of the 1940s and 50s. Second, while Pop and Op may at first glance seem vastly different in their focus, development, and impact, subtle connections exist between many of the works featured in this exhibition. Third, Pop in particular was one of the major movements of the twentieth century and continues to exert a considerable influence on art, as seen in the works of the selected West Coast Canadian artists shown here.

Over 50 works, including painting, prints, collage, sculpture, film, and archival ephemera are showcased in their exhibition.