Primary 2 | Selected Artists

The exhibition Primary 2 grew directly out of an open invitation this summer to members of the Heliconian Club, challenging them to submit works responding to the theme of “Primary”. While that initial call to creators evoked base elements, foundational colours, and raw beginnings, the selection process for Primary 2 by curator Doris Purchase and fellow Propeller member Lisa Johnson revealed a much deeper, interconnected narrative.Through this curation, Primary 2 found its own voice by shifting its gaze toward the vibrant secondary colour of orange. The fusion of yellow and red into the secondary colour orange serves as a powerful metaphor for the show and happens to be the signature branding colour of Propeller Art Gallery. From the 73 submissions to the Heliconian Club’s ‘Primary’ exhibition, a collection of 14 artworks was selected to yield a fluid, sequential conversation between the pieces, thereby transforming the original concept into a cohesive second chapter.In alignment with Propeller’s mission of “artists empowering artists,” bringing creators from the Heliconian Club into the gallery space generates a dynamic secondary opportunity out of a primary callout. It creates a space where artworks converse on the walls and where artists new to Propeller Art Gallery can engage during the opening and upcoming Artist Talks. Ultimately, this exhibition aims to organically build community, sparking a shared creative dialogue that bridges two of the city’s historic artistic institutions.