Vancouver’s Iranian Visual Arts (VIVA) Alliance has announced the launch of a new venue, Medias Res Gallery, at 401-353 Railway Street, in Vancouver’s Railtown neighbourhood. The gallery’s inaugural exhibition is Henna Night II / Shabe Kheena II by Hangama Amiri, the Afghan-Canadian artist’s first solo exhibition in British Columbia, on view from March 27–May 2.
Photo courtesy of the artist and Cooper Cole, Toronto.
Henna Night II / Shabe Kheena II features a new, large-scale piece created specifically for this exhibition complimenting selected works from the artist’s ongoing series of the same name: intricately sewn textile wall hangings that depict scenes from a traditional pre-wedding ceremony, in which the bride’s loved ones prepare her for the big day.
“Hangama Amiri’s work is the perfect aesthetic and thematic fit for our inaugural exhibition,” says VIVA Alliance curator Maryam Babaei. “Her wall hangings reflect deeply personal and culturally specific experiences, yet they feel incredibly familiar and universally resonant. The feelings of nostalgia, loss, longing, and hope that these pieces evoke transcend cultural and geographic boundaries. Amiri’s work exemplifies the capacity of art to overcome cultural divides and generate understanding.”
Medias Res Gallery will become the new programming hub for VIVA Alliance, itself a relatively new organization in the city that aims to contribute to the intercultural exchange among diverse groups within the Lower Mainland.
“The overwhelming response to our initial exhibitions at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre in the past two years made it clear: Vancouver needs more accessible art spaces for diverse communities,” says Shadi Shadbahr, founder and chief executive director of VIVA Alliance. “That’s why we’re thrilled to help bridge this gap by launching the brand new Medias Res Gallery. Drawing inspiration from the Latin phrase in medias res, meaning ‘in the middle of things,’ this new space positions itself at the heart of Vancouver’s evolving artistic scene, and reflects our determination to remain dynamic, responsive, and deeply connected to the communities we serve. The new gallery will provide a much-needed platform for visual artists, especially those new to the city, to share their work and connect with the local community.”
The Gallery spans the entire fourth floor of a newly constructed building in the neighbourhood of Railtown. The light-filled space is divided into three areas: a 1,800-square-foot main gallery for primary use, a smaller 165-square-foot hallway gallery reserved for more intimate exhibitions, and a studio space. The studio currently contains VIVA Alliance’s offices and has designated space for collaborating artists and residents. The space is designed to provide artists with individual work areas as well as a hub for meetings, workshops, lectures, and community-focused programming.
Henna Night II / Shabe Kheena II by Hangama Amiri is on display at Medias Res Gallery, at 401-353 Railway Street from March 27–May 2, 2025. For more information on the exhibition and gallery spaces, visit mediasresgallery.com