North Vancouver’s own Victoria Yahara is our newest local artist exhibiting at the OMG Art Hub. Victoria is a linocut printmaker who takes inspiration from botanical symbolism. She grew up on Bowen Island and studied art & design at Capilano University. She now lives in North Vancouver with her husband and their two, young sons.
Drop by our showroom and see her exquisite pieces on display for the months of September and October.
A CONVERSATION WITH VICTORIA
OMG: What was your inspiration behind the pieces in this exhibit?
Victoria: I am inspired by botanical symbolism from the Victorian Era.
OMG: Can you describe your creative process or technique and how you approached making these pieces?
Victoria: I transfer my original illustrations to a lino block and delicately carve my design. I roll the lino block with archival oil-based ink and print it onto fine art paper with a small hand-operated printing press. Everything is done by hand from start to finish.
In my series titled “The Language of Flowers”, I compose florals into symmetrical crests representing different themes such as “Friendship” and “Mother’s Eternal Love”.
My Paper Butterfly Collection is a series of linocut-printed butterflies carved with symbolic flowers. The wings are cut out and moulded by hand to create gentle curves. They are paired with a handmade paper bead body and wire antennas.
My Paper Quilt series was born from the desire to repurpose my retired designs. I cut the linocut blocks into triangles and pieced them together like a puzzle to create quilt designs. I love how quilts turn scraps of fabric into something beautiful again. My Paper Quilt series does the same with my scraps of block. It is ever-evolving as each edition uses a unique combination of these recycled triangles.
OMG: What are your plans for future artistic projects or exhibitions?
Victoria: I am exhibiting at the Ron Andrews Community Centre from August 2024 – February 2025.
OMG: Where else can we find your artwork?
Victoria: I am a vendor at markets around the North Shore throughout the year including Loutet Farmers Market and larger holiday markets at the Pipeshop and Deep Cove. You can also find my work on my website www.victoriayahara.ca
