The Surrey Art Gallery has launched "In the Shadow of the Pavilions," an exhibition exploring the complex artistic legacy of Vancouver’s Expo 86. Curated by Jordan Strom, the show features works and archival materials from over 50 artists, including those officially commissioned for the world’s fair and those who were excluded or responded critically to the event. Highlights include documentation of Michael Snow’s pioneering holography and Bill Reid’s Haida canoe, Loo Taas, alongside works by Stan Douglas and Rodney Graham.
The exhibition serves as a critical retrospective on how mega-events shape regional art scenes and urban identities. By juxtaposing official programming with the frustrations of local artists who were left out, the gallery highlights the tension between international spectacle and local representation. It offers a timely reflection on the lasting cultural and economic shifts triggered by the fair as Vancouver prepares for its next major global spotlight with the upcoming World Cup.