AGGV Collection Archives

FAMILY VISITS

You are warmly invited to visit with some of the many families represented in the permanent collection. Drawn from recent acquisitions, Family Visits, co-curated by Toby Lawrence, AGGV Curator of Contemporary Art and Dr. Heng Wu, AGGV Curator of Asian Art, explores varied ideas of kinship through pieces created by over 40 artists who work across a range of geographies and genres, including drawing, painting, photography, print-making, textiles, and sculpture. At some points the familial connections are very conventional, such as the portrait of AGGV’s first director Colin Graham with his son James, drawn by Myfanwy Pavelic whose Spencer family donated the mansion currently housing the Gallery. But considerations of family in this exhibition expand well beyond immediate relations to reflect on the networks of support found in local communities, diasporas, plants, animals, and ancestors.

Looking for a Good Ancestor, and new acquisitions by Ann Newdigate

For nearly five decades, Hornby Island-based artist Ann Newdigate (1934-2023) nurtured a fibre arts practice imbued with critical dialogue through social and political engagement. In February 2025, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria acquired fourteen textile-based artworks and corresponding studies by Newdigate. – Written by Toby Lawrence, AGGV Curator of Contemporary Art.

ICYMI: Sophie Pemberton Publication Launch

Saturday, November 15, 2025, was a day of celebration at the Gallery. We were honoured to host Kathryn Bridge and pay tribute to her work in realizing the publication, ‘Unexpected: The Life and Art of Sophie Pemberton 1869-1959.’ – Written by Margaret Chrumka, AGGV Director of Visitor Experience and Programs.

Reflections: Art Gallery Paint-In 2025

Boasting a lineup of 165 artists showcasing their diverse talents, food vendors offering a variety of culinary delights, community booths providing engaging information and resources, and interactive Imagination Stations designed to inspire creativity, it’s no surprise that more than 50,000 visitors flocked to Moss Street once again for the 36th annual Art Gallery Paint-In, transforming the event into a vibrant hub of artistic expression and community celebration.

Emilio Rojas: The first boundary is the flesh

We had the pleasure of getting a first-hand look at Emilio Rojas’ process while recently hosting the artist for a residency at the AGGV. The first boundary is the flesh is a three-channel video performance installation by artist Emilio Rojas commissioned by the AGGV as part of the exhibition, “Architectures of Protection”, on view until October 26, 2025.