Have you been to the The Esker Foundation? You need to go. Admission is free. The Esker Foundation is a contemporary art gallery located in Calgary. Currently showing until December 21st is an exhibition by Canadian artist Tammi Campbell called, Dear Agnes.
Free gallery
I had heard rumor of this free gallery in the Inglewood area of Calgary and finally paid a visit a couple of weeks ago. What I was not aware of was this fabulous exhibit of a series of visual letters that Tammi Campbell wrote/drew almost every day between 2010 -17.
It was in 2010 that Ms. Campbell would begin each day by drawing a different variation of a grid in graphite on Japanese rag paper. The artist would write the salutation “Dear Agnes” in the top left corner, fold the drawing twice like a letter and then store it in sequence before continuing her day.
Letter writing with intention
The “Agnes” in question is abstract artist Agnes Martin who died in 2004. Perhaps Ms. Campbell felt a special connection with Agnes Martin as they were both from Saskatchewan. The final three months worth of letters – 85 in total, are on display now at the Esker Foundation.
Not only did I love the actual artwork, I loved the intention behind it. The daily routine of writing a letter first thing. The simplicity yet the untethered possibility of the grid-like letter format are all what makes this exhibit intriguing and inspiring.
What intentional, daily routine do you have?