New art exhibit shows talent runs in the family

‘Under the Same Roof’ in the Amelia Douglas Gallery

By Cheryl Minns, Arts Editor

Father and daughter Ewan McNeil and Jessie McNeil are the latest artists to have their work on display in the Amelia Douglas Gallery at the Douglas College New Westminster campus. From October 23 to December 12, Under the Same Roof will feature Ewan’s sculptures and Jessie’s figurative collages as well as a collaborative large mural spread across the exterior wall of the Laura C. Muir Theatre.

“I hope visitors go away with a pleasurable visual experience and an idea of what it takes to live and work and be an artist,” Ewan said about the exhibit.

The large mural is particularly special because it is a new type of art for the McNeils due to the collaboration and size.

“I don’t usually work in that size, so it was a bit of a challenge for me,” Jessie said. “We set a few guidelines and starting off points, then I would work a little bit on my own, then my dad would. We would reflect on what we did and then go from there.”

“We both have studios within shouting distance and we’re constantly coming in and out of each other’s and checking up on the work,” Ewan said. “It was difficult to get space to actually do the mural. We had to set the mural up in the alleyway in order to get a full picture of what we were doing.”

Both artists will be giving a presentation about their art on October 24 at 10 a.m. in the Amelia Douglas Gallery, and students and members of the community are welcome to attend.

“The process is really important to me and I would like to talk about what’s possible,” Ewan said about the presentation. “I might pepper it with some art history.”

“I always love an open format, Q-&-A kind of thing, so bring questions!” Jessie said.

The show was originally called Merge, but underwent a name change when the artists decided on a more symbolic show title.

“Merge sounded kind of vague,” Ewan explained.

“Under the Same Roof just came to us,” Jessie said. “We could think of it literally, like we’re working under the same roof, or metaphorically.”

Ewan and Jessie will be in attendance at the opening reception for Under the Same Roof on October 24 at 4:30 p.m. at the Amelia Douglas Gallery.