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Oils, organics, jewels and patterns

The winner of the 2011 Kwi Am Choi Scholarship - named after a Coquitlam artist who died in a hiking accident on Grouse Mountain five years ago - will feature her oil paintings at Port Moody Art Centre (PMAC) this and next month.

The winner of the 2011 Kwi Am Choi Scholarship - named after a Coquitlam artist who died in a hiking accident on Grouse Mountain five years ago - will feature her oil paintings at Port Moody Art Centre (PMAC) this and next month.

Kathy Zhang's display, titled Recent Works, are in the main gallery as well as in the Scotiabank, across the street from PMAC.

A recent graduate of the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Zhang used photographs from World of Interiors, Architectural Digest, and House and Home for inspiration for her exhibit, which opens Thursday with a reception.

The opulent rooms she recreates are filled with bizarre objects, taking the viewer into a surreal world.

In the PMAC 3D Gallery is Carlyn Yandle's Labour of Love, a showcase of her paintings and mixed media that repeat patterns. Also an emerging artist and graduate of Emily Carr, the Vancouver artist draws on her 17 years as a reporter and editor, including at Black Press' Westender, a sister paper to The Tri-City News.

Meanwhile, Tanis Alexis and Amanda Maxwell demonstrate that "home is where the heart is" in their joint exhibit in the PMAC Plum Gallery. Alexis' mixed media on canvas is part of an ongoing series that examines homes and houses.

"The concept of 'home' can be so varied and unique for each person," Alexis wrote in her artist's statement. "Home can be inside, outside and in the most unintended of places, as well as nomadic or impermanent.

"Much is left for the viewer to decide: Where shall you live?" she added.

Maxwell, on the other hand, focuses her efforts on jewellery made of wire, metal and fibres. She started to design jewellery after collecting glass washed up on local beaches as well as sifting through more than 100 photographs of her childhood garden; the jewellery became souvenirs the British native could wear that evoked memories.

"I carry my memories as wearable, portable touchstones of those precious to me. I remain connected. I make my home," Maxwell wrote in her artist's statement.

The opening reception for PMAC's new exhibit is tomorrow from 6 to 8 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the event at 2425 St. John's St.

jwarren@tricitynews.com