Homo sapiens have long been fascinated by the concept of reflection, evidenced by its appearance in works of creative expression going back centuries. It is woven into mythology, in the Greek tale of Narcissus and is present in our children’s stories, such as this exhibition’s eponymous tale, Through the Looking Glass. This allure also extends into the history of visual art — consider masterpieces such as Diego Velázquez’s Las Meninas — and is an idea that continues to appear in the work of contemporary artists.

The Looking Glass is a collection of 17 pieces by 12 artists, curated from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Permanent Collection. Each piece contains a visualization of reflection, manifesting in different ways. Photographs of common reflective materials prompt contemplation on the relationships we have with the things that surround us, and the impact we have on each other. Distorted self-portraiture forces us to confront conflicting versions of self that exist. Depictions of looking glasses raise questions about credibility and deception. Although common tools for observing and making sense of the world, mirrors are also deeply associated with trickery and illusion. Considering the exhibition, viewers are invited to ponder reflection as a tool for introspection and a method of situating oneself within reality, or, more accurately, one’s perception of reality.

Featured Artists: James Agrell Smith, Kyle Beal, Stefanja Dumanowski, Cynthia Fuhrer, Christian Grandjean, Tanya Harnett, Gene Leavitt, C.S. McConnell, Paul Murasko, Toni Onley, Felix Plawski and Jacques Rioux

Curated by Sierra Zukowski, TREX Southeast

TREX Southeast is one of four regional partners delivering the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition (TREX) program — a provincial initiative dedicated to supporting Alberta artists and ensuring that all Albertans have access to visual art in their communities. By bringing professionally curated exhibitions to venues like schools, libraries, healthcare centres, and community spaces, TREX provides barrier-free arts programming across the province. TREX Southeast is managed through the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre in Medicine Hat. For more information and a full listing of exhibition locations, visit - trexsoutheast.ca.