New exhibitions at Peel Art Gallery, Museum & Archives “address urgent climate change challenges”

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

April is Earth Month and there's a number of new exhibitions on for it at a local gallery.

The Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) has three new exhibitions on now that focus on the challenges of climate change.

The first is titled “A Daily Drive” and is a photograph by Inuk photographer Robert Kautuk that's featured on PAMA's outdoor banners. 

“Kautuk captures the vast beauty of the Arctic landscape in a low-angle photograph,” says PAMA in a news release. “Kautuk and his team are driving to check the Akuliaqattak and Nattiqsujuq weather stations. These stations track the changing climate in the North. The weather stations are part of the Silalirijiit Project, which combines Inuit knowledge with science to help solve the urgent problems caused by climate change.”

The second exhibition is called “Illuminated Collapse” and it's by artist Jude Griebel. It's a series of small sculptures that explore stories of the world's end. 

“Each scene, built on a round base, depicts strange and unsettling events. These miniature worlds reflect our modern life, highlighting issues like consumerism, industry, and pollution, and their damaging impact on the environment,” says PAMA. “The exhibition invites us to consider how our everyday actions are connected to larger global challenges and the future of the Earth.”

The third exhibition is called “Dark Ice” and it's by Kautuk and Leslie Reid. The exhibition features photographs, paintings and videos of Arctic land, ice and communities, showing their experience with climate change.

“Climate change is significantly impacting ecosystems worldwide, especially in northern landscapes and communities. In these areas, Inuit knowledge and ways of building community are at risk,” reads the release. “To address these challenges, it's important to use different approaches, combining the knowledge of both Inuit and settler communities.”

PAMA is located at 9 Wellington Street East in Brampton and is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and Fridays; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

PAMA is closed on Good Friday, and admission is free in April thanks to the Sikh Foundation of Canada – April is Sikh Heritage Month and there are a number of exhibitions on to celebrate it too.