FANTASIA – Paintings by Maggie Dong & Grace Tao

FANTASIA – Paintings by Maggie Dong & Grace Tao
 
Opening May 29, 2025, 6-8pm
https://openingfantasia.eventbrite.ca
 
Coffee Talk & Meeting the Artists: June 11, 2025 11am – 12pm
https://meetfantasia.eventbrite.ca
 
Exhibition: May 29 – June 19, 2025 free admission by appointment.

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Lipont Place, Room 218 (no elevator), 4211 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC, V6X 2C3
 
Lipont Gallery is excited to present FANTASIA, a two-person exhibition featuring the works of North Vancouver-based artist Maggie Dong and Surrey-based artist Grace Tao. Both artists explore themes of nature, humanity, and the emotional depth of life through their individual practices, showcasing their work in this collaborative exhibition.
 
With over a decade of experience in painting, both Dong and Tao have established themselves in Vancouver’s art community. Their journey as artists mirrors their experiences as immigrants, constantly evolving in response to both their personal lives and the surrounding environment. FANTASIA reflects their ongoing exploration of art, nature, and life’s philosophical inquiries. Despite their different backgrounds and artistic practices, both artists convey a deep connection to the world around them through their respective mediums.
 
Maggie Dong’s work is defined by delicate emotions, vibrant colours, and precise brushwork. Her People and Pets series, including her thought-provoking painting Is a Cat a Pet?, invites viewers to reflect on the philosophical questions of joy, human connection, and self-awareness. Through these paintings, Dong examines the intricate relationships between people, pets, and the natural world, transforming everyday moments into profound narratives.
 
Grace Tao brings a unique perspective to the exhibition, combining her background in painting, design, and business. Her work bridges abstract oil painting with imagery that juxtaposes machinery and nature, exploring the intersections of design, natural laws, and human ingenuity. Tao’s works, which include captivating colour fields and representations of nature’s laws intertwined with human-made structures, reveal her fascination with the mechanics of life and the inherent beauty of both.
 
Like the unpredictable and spontaneous nature of a fantasia—a free-form melody—FANTASIA presents a harmonious blend of both artists’ interpretations of the Canadian landscape and their reflections on life and humanity. Their works echo each other’s exploration of nature, culture, and philosophy, culminating in an exhibition that captures the fluidity and complexity of life’s emotional spectrum.
 
The exhibition will be on view at Lipont Gallery from May 29 to June 19, 2025, with a public opening reception on Thursday, May 29, from 6–8 PM. A Coffee Talk and Artist Meet & Greet event will take place on Wednesday, June 11, from 11 AM to 12 PM, offering visitors an opportunity to meet the artists and delve into their creative processes.
 
Admission is free and by appointment https://www.lipontgallery.ca/
 
Address: Lipont Place, Room 218 (no elevator), 4211 No. 3 Road, Richmond, BC, V6X 2C3
Parking: Free on the south side of the building.
Transit: Aberdeen Station