This exhibition brings together the work of Alejandra Morales, Samira Sukhatme, and Angie Quintanilla Coates—three immigrant artists whose practices converge through colour, form, and a deep exploration of place.

Alejandra creates fantastical, ironic worlds of birds, flowers, and ornamentation to examine the restrictive ideals of femininity and sexuality rooted in her conservative hometown of Monterrey. Samira draws inspiration from the dialogue between architecture and nature, using texture and light to explore balance, perception, and the presence of memory within space. Angie channels her Mexican heritage and personal journey into vibrant geometric reliefs, embracing positive space as a site of optimism, complexity, and resilience.

Though distinct in medium, their works share a sensibility rooted in heritage. Coming from Mexico and India, cultures alive with colour and warmth, each artist carries these influences into their practice, in their own distinct way. Warmth is a standout connective thread between them, manifesting sometimes intentionally, sometimes subconsciously, but undeniably central to how their work engages viewers.

For Alejandra Morales, it surfaces through irony and metaphor as a lens on the narrow ideals of womanhood imposed by her culture. For Samira Sukhatme, it flows through her pursuit of harmony between human-made structures and the organic beauty of the environment, encouraging viewers to see their own lives within this delicate balance. For Angie Quintanilla Coates, warmth is almost second nature, a nostalgic nod to Mexico woven into the vibrant colours and shapes that define her practice.

Presented in November, a season of cold and darkness in Canada, this exhibition becomes an invitation: step inside, be enveloped by colour, and bask in a brightness and warmth that transcend place and season.

In addition to the opening reception on November 22, there will also be an artist talk (facilitated by Miret Rodriguez) and closing reception on Saturday, November 29 at 2 pm.

MEDIUM(S)

acrylic, oil, wood, canvas

ARTIST BIOS

Alejandra Morales

Alejandra Morales is a visual artist based in Vancouver. She received her BA from McGill University in 2016 and recently completed her MFA in Visual Arts at the University of British Columbia. She works mostly on large scale paintings made with oil and acrylics, which she sees as distorted and baroque other-worlds through which she explores traditional female ideals as well as the social practices of Monterrey, her natal city. She contemplates themes related to identity, nostalgia, beauty and immigration through the use of metaphor—principally by painting birds, flowers, and fruits.

Samira Sukhatme

Drawing inspiration from the interplay between architecture and nature, Samira Sukhatme’s artwork is a celebration of bold design language, vibrant colours, and the enchanting beauty of the natural world. Rooted in her love for brutalist architecture and tropical sceneries, she aims to transport viewers into a realm where they can immerse themselves in layers of textures and elements that evoke a sense of wonder and joy.

Angie Quintanilla Coates

Angie Quintanilla (keen-tah-knee-yah) Coates is a visual artist born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. In her 20’s, Angie traded the heat and hustle of Mexico for the calmer and decidedly chillier climate of Canada. 20 years on, she finds herself in Port Moody, BC where she lives with her dog Meatball, and rescue husband Geoff. When she’s not in her studio, she can be found exploring the nearby ocean and mountain trails.