Art Gallery of Peel showcases local artist

The Art Gallery of Peel will be presenting a retrospective look at the works of artist Huibert Sabelis from Jan. 17 to Feb. 24.

This exhibition will survey his works in various media, including painting, printmaking and tapestry.

Born in the Netherlands, Sabelis is now based out of Mississauga. His numerous experiences living abroad are said to have evoked a visual vocabulary that celebrates life's natural cycles and the great diversity of the world. Sabelis has drawn on influences from his native Holland, as well as Indonesia, where he spent his formative years, and Canada.

Several pieces will be displayed from his past collections, using images of nature to depict harmony with local environments. Other pieces will touch on themes of emigration, blending cultural metaphors from Sabelis's experiences living in different countries and continents throughout his life. One painting from his new Dreamscapes collection will also be showcased.

"For the past 35 years, Sabelis has immersed himself in a variety of cultures and surroundings and through his work, has focused on the figures and images boldly emerging from the landscape," commented Judy Daley, assistant curator at the Peel Heritage Complex (PHC). "Sabelis reconfigures landscape to become the fixation of an idealized harmony."

Sabelis started his career in the 1960s, showcasing his work throughout Canada, the United States and the Netherlands. As part of travelling group exhibitions, his works have reached audiences in Japan, Korea, Australia, Switzerland, France, Spain and Columbia.

The Art Gallery of Peel is at 9 Wellington St. E. in Brampton. The Complex is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; weekends from noon to 4:30 p.m.; and Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission is $2.50 for adults; $1.50 for seniors; $1 for students; and $7 for families.