Until it Swells

In Residence: April 17-29, 2023

Season Opening Reception: Saturday, April 22, 3-7pm

Installation of Public Artwork: Fall 2023

On view until the summer of 2025, Until it Swells makes reference to the impact of invasive species and how our impact as humans effects the coastlines we live and travel along. Responding to the site and architecture of 510 Fort Street, artist Camille Georgeson-Usher addresses Open Space’s location as it existed prior to settler contact on the Westcoast, the establishment of Fort Victoria, and what is now the Old Town. This artwork focuses on local plant life and the natural environment as a way to amplify the landscape that pre-existed the current cityscape that has been overtaken by invasive species. The aim of the artwork is to highlight the long and multidimensional history of the region—and more specifically the site—and to offer passersby a visual encounter from which they can imagine the impact of small, intentional steps, such as helping in their day to day lives to remove invasive plants like Scotch broom (cytisus scoparius).

Until it Swells was included in the Winter Arts Festival's public art tour, visit The Winter Arts Festival website for more information. Camille also discussed the project as part of a panel discussion hosted by the Winter Arts Fest Dialogue: Light & Language on Sunday, February 18, 6:30pm at the Royal BC Museum. The Winter Arts Festival is a new initiative presented by OUR DWTN brought to you by the City of Victoria.

This project is presented as part of the 2023 series Wayfinders, the ones we breathe with. 

Curated by Toby Lawrence