A new exhibition titled 'In the Shadow of the Pavilions: Expo 86 and Contemporary Art' has opened at the Surrey Art Gallery, running from April 18 to June 7, 2026. It is the first exhibition to focus specifically on the art of Expo 86, featuring original works and archival materials from 35 artists that examine both official and unofficial art from the 1986 world's fair. The show includes photography, painting, installation, performance, and video art, and is accompanied by a symposium on May 9 and a curator's tour with Jordan Strom on May 28.
This exhibition matters because it fills a significant gap in art historical scholarship: while Expo 67 has been extensively studied, Expo 86—one of the largest public events in Canadian history with nearly 22 million visitors—has never before been closely examined through its art. By highlighting works created during and around the fair, the show offers a critical look at themes like communication, transportation, urban development, resource extraction, and Indigenous self-determination, and marks the 40th anniversary of the event.