Phyllis Schwartz and Edward Peck

Apeiron

Apeiron is an exhibition showcasing photographs of life in a small, prairie agricultural community surrounded by vast landscapes. The exhibition features the works of two photo-based artists, Phyllis Schwartz and Edward Peck, who engage in a visual conversation about their perspectives on geography, history, economic challenges, and diverse culture. Their images offer viewers a unique opportunity to experience the environment and emotions evoked by prairie life.

Schwartz and Peck created the photo-based images during their art residency at the Wallace Stegner House in Eastend, Saskatchewan. Their images provide a striking contrast between the original homesteads and the current industrialization of prairie farming. The tone and texture of these photographs draw the viewer’s attention to the natural elements that confront everyone living and working in this environment.

Peck revisited his childhood surroundings, and the weather and smells triggered memories, similar to Wallace Stegner. He understood the importance of confronting one’s emotions and discussing the past to recall vivid memories. Schwartz faced unexpected weather and a remote landscape that challenged her artistic goals, which ultimately led to a new direction for her work. The spare, early spring landscape served as an incubator for her to take artistic risks, which resulted in new forms of expression for both artists. Both artists gained a deeper appreciation for the landscape and how to represent it through photography.

To express the vastness of the landscape and the interconnectedness of the people’s lives, the artwork is a mix of contrasting sizes. Peck’s work features large-scale photographs juxtaposed with smaller vignettes, while Schwartz’s typology of landscape structures highlights their dependence on natural forces in their environment. Apeiron is accompanied by a book that details the artist’s residency experience and the creation of the images.

Opening night is Friday, September 8 from 6 – 8 p.m. and the show continues every Saturday and Sunday, from September 9 – 24. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The artists will be giving a talk on Sunday, September 17 at 2 p.m. Attend in person or online.

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About the Artists

Edward Peck studied photography, fine arts, conceptual art, historical techniques, film, and literature at the University of British Columbia. He then collaborated with other artists to hone his technical drawing, etching, watercolour, performance art, and photography skills. He is currently working with experimental digital imagery and historical photography techniques. He teaches the art of photography at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in Burnaby, B.C. Peck exhibits locally and internationally; private, corporate, and public collections have acquired his work. He also edited and produced anthologies of Canadian literature and was the Assistant Editor of the Canadian Fiction Magazine. He continues to edit and produce artist publications and exhibition catalogues. Recently Edward Peck and Phyllis Schwartz were artists in residence at Wallace Stegner House in Eastend, Saskatchewan. He is currently a member of Agora’s Experimental Photography Collective, an international collective that will participate in the 2023 Barcelona Experimental Photography Festival.

Phyllis Schwartz is a multidisciplinary artist who works in photography, ceramics and publishing. She received the Canon Photography Award after graduating from Emily Carr University with a concentration in photography. Her work is in public, corporate, and private collections and has been installed, exhibited, and published locally, nationally, and internationally. Phyllis Schwartz collaborates on publishing, curatorial, and photography projects with Edward Peck. They typically investigate community-based issues, which bring the community together. Working with land-based artist Pierre Leichner, they investigated the use of plant-based materials to create artwork that addresses issues of permanence and impermanence. Four art galleries in the Lower Mainland featured this work. Schwartz and Peck were most recently artists in residence at Wallace Stegner House in Eastend, Saskatchewan. She is currently a member of Agora’s Experimental Photography Collective, an international collective that will participate in the 2023 Experimental Photography Festival in Barcelona.

Visit their website or Instagram for more information about the artists.

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Xchanges gratefully acknowledges the support of the Province of British Columbia and the Capital Regional District for our gallery programs.