Get up-close with remarkable carvings at this Kelowna gallery

An exhibition at the Kelowna Art Gallery is showcasing the artistic journey of carver Dempsey Bob. His work has been on display in galleries across the nation and has now found a destination in the Okanagan.

The exhibition known as Wolves: The Art of Dempsey Bob showcases his long carving journey through masks, wall sculptures, and other creations.

It will give residents an opportunity to view pieces that are typically kept within private collections or other public art institutions.

“This is the first time they've been together for 40 years, and it's the most comprehensive collection of my work and it's really my retrospective of my life's work,” Bob told Kelowna10 while setting up the exhibition at the gallery. “This is only a small part of it because we started with 109 pieces and here, we only have 50.”

Bob's creative process involves working on numerous pieces simultaneously, as he believes in capturing inspiration when it strikes. He stressed the importance of seizing creative ideas promptly.

“Once I do one, I'll get another idea, see another good one, I'll do them. And I try to nail the idea before the idea is gone,” he said. “If the idea passes, it's gone forever. You can't get it back. So, you've got to be ready.”

Furthermore, he underscored the significance of art in society, particularly within the realm of culture. He believes that art can effectively communicate truths and values through creative expressions, further emphasizing its importance and impact.

“I believe great art must have vitality, life, and power. And I've always been trying to get that,” he explained. “You look at my eyes that are different. And when I was looking for these eyes that have life in them and I dreamt them, I’ve seen them, and I’ve been trying to carve them for a long time.”

The exhibit runs until Feb. 18, 2024.