'The Forgotten' explores decay and renewal at Kerrobert Courtroom Gallery

KERROBERT – The Kerrobert Courtroom Gallery opened its newest exhibition on Oct. 4 with "The Forgotten," a collection of paintings by artist Jessica McNichol.

An opening reception was held at the gallery at 1 p.m. that afternoon. The show runs until Dec. 31.

McNichol built the exhibition around a subject she has long been drawn to. Her paintings focus on the slow decay of infrastructure and how nature eventually reclaims it.

In her artist statement, McNichol said the theme has always reminded her that nothing in life is permanent. She said it is important to appreciate things while they are here and to remember the history and legacy they leave behind.

The paintings are meant to stir "a sense of nostalgia and appreciation" for what is left behind and what eventually takes its place, she wrote.

Most of the work in the show is acrylic on traditional canvas, McNichol's preferred medium.

Her interest in art started early. As a child, she was fascinated by Disney films and their bright colours and character designs. That led her to drawing, and she developed her skills largely on her own.

McNichol later studied at The Art Institute of Vancouver, earning a diploma in Animation, Art and Design in 2006.

After moving to Edmonton in 2012, she began working in mixed media. She has experimented with unconventional surfaces, including old window panes, as canvases.

The Kerrobert Courtroom Gallery is located at 433 Manitoba Ave. Gallery hours are weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

More information is available on the Kerrobert Courtroom Gallery Facebook page or at jmcnichol.wixsite.com/courtroomgallery.