* Rise & Repaint Member Exhibition *: Hard Edge - THIS GALLERY
The term hard-edge is often associated with a strict formalism—clean lines, flat colour, and an almost mechanical precision that emerged in contrast to the gestural urgency of Abstract Expressionism. Yet, as this exhibition demonstrates, the language of hard-edge abstraction is not confined to a singular visual or material approach. Instead, it is a conceptual framework that artists can push against, subvert, and redefine.
In HARDedge, nine Canadian artists engage with the aesthetic principles of hard-edged abstraction while deliberately bending its historical rigidity. The works in the exhibition span painting, fibre, and sculptural forms, each taking an unconventional approach to the call. Some artists introduce unexpected textures, disrupting the traditionally smooth, flat surfaces associated with the style. Others play with irregular geometries, where precision becomes a starting point rather than an end goal. Still others use unconventional materials, applying the language of hard edges to mediums that inherently resist it—soft fabrics, organic forms, or layered constructions.
This exhibition challenges the notion that hard-edge abstraction must be purely optical or rooted in rigid formalism. Instead, it proposes that the movement’s defining characteristics—clarity, structure, and contrast—can serve as a foundation for experimentation rather than limitation. By embracing diverse processes and perspectives, the artists in HARDedge expand the vocabulary of precision, proving that even within strict boundaries, there is room for fluidity, nuance, and redefinition.
HARDedge is a juried group exhibition featuring the work of nine incredibly talented Canadian artists.
268 Keefer St (Chinatown, Vancouver, BC)
Exhibition: April 25 to May 3, 2025
OPENING: Saturday, April 26, from 12 to 4 pm
