A Coquitlam high school student is being hailed as an up-and-coming artist by a Tri-City businessman who says Yannie Lo’s paintings depicting feelings of depression and alienation are exceptional for their style and depth of emotion.
Len Bergquist, the semi-retired general manager of PoCo Inn and Suites, said he was so impressed by the teenager’s work he decided to host a show at the Port Coquitlam hotel.
“I wanted to have an art exhibition for her showing all of her art, but identifying this youth depression,” said Bergquist, who will be inviting mental health workers and advocates — including Carol Todd, mother of the late Amanda Todd — to the exhibit opening next month.
The Gleneagle secondary student was only 15 when she created the project, a series of paintings that show the different ways people deal with depression. In one, for example, a woman is draped in jewelry made of razor blades and pills.
“That is sometimes the way people deal with depression,” said Lo, who has been painting since she was six and plans to study art university when she graduates in June.
Lo said she prefers to work in oils and is drawn to “darkness” in her art. “I want people to feel emotions when they look at my art.”
People with a special interest in mental health issues can contact Bergquist to attend the show on Nov. 2 by emailing len.bergquist2shaw.ca.
