Campbell River Art Gallery presents Sacred in All Forms
Published 1:30 am Monday, May 4, 2026
A new, thought-provoking exhibition is coming to the Campbell River Art Gallery this month.
Curated by Jenelle Pasiechnik, Sacred in All Forms: Artists Reclaim the Divine Feminine Across Bodies, Lands, and Worlds brings together four contemporary artists — Sandeep Johal, Xiaojing Yan, Kourtney Jackson, and Aaron McIntosh — whose work explores what it means to find the sacred in everyday life, in relationships, in the body, and in the natural world.
The opening reception for the exhibition is on May 9 from 1 until 3 p.m. The exhibition runs from May 7 until Aug. 8
Working across textiles, video, sculpture, installation, and mixed media, each artist approaches these ideas through the lens of their own culture, identity, and lived experience. Together, their work opens up a wide range of perspectives on what we hold sacred.
“This exhibition is really about opening up the idea of what the sacred can be. Each artist brings their own lived experience and cultural perspective, and together the work invites people to see connection, identity, and spirituality in ways that feel personal and relevant to everyday life,” said Sara Lopez, CRAG Interim Creative Director.
For Campbell River audiences, this exhibition offers an opportunity to experience work by artists with significant national and international profiles. Xiaojing Yan draws on Chinese cultural traditions and Daoist philosophy to explore transformation through natural materials and has exhibited at institutions including the Royal Ontario Museum and galleries in New York and China. Johal’s colourful, detailed work reflects the strength and complexity of motherhood and has been presented through major public collaborations including with the Vancouver Art Gallery. Jackson uses layered storytelling to explore Black queer identity and experience. McIntosh works with quilting and textiles to examine personal history, family, desire, and belonging.
Sacred in All Forms does not offer a single definition of the divin feminine. Instead, it invites visitors to sit with many different ways of understanding the sacred.
The gallery will offer a series of public programs throughout the exhibition, including artist talks, workshops, and community conversations.
“We’re really excited about the programs that will run alongside the exhibition. They’re designed to help people engage more deeply with the work, ask questions, and have meaningful conversations. It’s about making the gallery a space for care and belonging, not just observation,” says Lopez.