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The Art Gallery of Alberta respectfully acknowledges that we are located in Treaty 6 Territory and Region 4 of the Metis Nation of Alberta. We respect this as the traditional and contemporary  land of diverse Indigenous Peoples including the Plains Cree, Woodland Cree, Beaver Cree, Nitsitapi/Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Anishinaabe/Saulteaux/Ojibwe and Dene Peoples. We also acknowledge the many Indigenous, Inuit and Métis people who make Alberta their home today.

Meet artist Yong Fei Guan

Photo Credit: Manpreet Singh

Yong Fei Guan

 What does it mean to you to be an artist working in Edmonton?  

For the past five years since I became a mother, my art has addressed the notion of my identity and my relationship to Edmonton.  I also question the concept of “other” and “home”.  Some people say that immigrants should go back to their homeland.  Do we not belong? How long does one need to be here to be considered part of the local community? For thousands of years humanity has migrated to different places. For me, Edmonton is home. I hope people can relate to my work and bring each of us a bit closer to home.                

What is the Edmonton art scene to you?  

Edmonton has a welcoming art community. It seems everyone knows each other and supports each other. Also, there are many organizations to help artists find the resources that they need. My favourite organization is the Edmonton Arts Council who financially supports artists on a regular basis. Despite that Edmontonians have different political views, we look after each other. Perhaps because we have a brutal five-month long winter, we know that we need each other to survive. Like many other immigrants that settle down in Edmonton, it is important for me to build a home here for my family. 

Yong Fei Guan, 塑胶狮 Sujiao Shi, 2018. Household plastic waste, PVC pipe, screws, nails and wood. Courtesy of the Artist. Installation view of The Scene. Art Gallery of Alberta, Edmonton, 2021. Photo: Art Gallery of Alberta.

Originally from Foshan in Guangdong Province, China, Yong Fei Guan moved to Edmonton after studying at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Her practice often involves public and community-based art projects that bring people together around topics of home and the environment. This pair of sculptures were made in a response to two recent events: On April 4, 2017, the city of Edmonton removed the two Chinese guardian lions that flanked the Harbin Gate, the ceremonial gateway to Chinatown named after Edmonton’s Chinese sister city. In January of the following year, China announced that it would no longer accept most plastic recyclables from around the world. Made entirely from household plastic waste, Guan’s lions memorialize the displacement of a local monument while speaking to the global waste crisis.

Hours

Monday: closed
Tuesday: closed
Wednesday: 11am-5pm
Thursday: 11am-7pm
Friday: 11am-5pm
Saturday: 11am-5pm
Sunday: 11am-5pm

Admission

* Restrictions apply. Please see our Hours and Admissions page.

AGA members
$Free
Youth 0-17
$Free
Alberta students 18+
$Free
Out-of-province students
$10
General admission
$14
Seniors 65+
$10

Location

2 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5J 2C1

780.422.6223
info@youraga.ca

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The Art Gallery of Alberta respectfully acknowledges that we are located in Treaty 6 Territory and Region 4 of the Metis Nation of Alberta. We respect this as the traditional and contemporary  land of diverse Indigenous Peoples including the Plains Cree, Woodland Cree, Beaver Cree, Nitsitapi/Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Anishinaabe/Saulteaux/Ojibwe and Dene Peoples. We also acknowledge the many Indigenous, Inuit and Métis people who make Alberta their home today.