An exhibit at Art 10 Gallery in Nanaimo North Town Centre looks to make art accessible to everyone while repurposing antique items.
Su Orlov is the featured artist for September and October. She paints boxes she finds at antique stores for her show called Pandora’s Boxes.
“This is literally art made inside a box which has a lid which can be left open or closed – it depends on the person who gets the art," she said. "There is a hidden message inside every piece and the message actually is different for everyone and it depends on the person who looks at the piece."
Orlov makes a point to try to keep the pieces affordable so they can be taken home and enjoyed by people.
“This is also about repurposing, using things not wanted before, abandoned and left on the shelf and nobody wanted them. So I felt sorry about these boxes and I restore them after I buy them myself and make something new with them,” she said. “You can take your box home, open the lid and think about what you see inside.”
The show featured more than 20 pieces when it began last month, with artistic techniques such as wood burning and metalwork, and interactive elements.
“I've got three kids actually and they are quite creative as well and some of the ideas came from them,” she said.
Orlov said the show has been popular and she will have to make new boxes to keep up with the ones she has sold since putting them on display in September.
“I mostly enjoy chatting with people about art and what they feel looking at the art. We have got many talented members in our gallery,” she said.
The exhibit can be viewed during mall hours.