Kathryn Gibson O'Regan and Robert Shiozaki had been neighbours in Vancouver's Mergatroid Building for a dozen years, plying their photography and ceramic skills in separate studios.
But it wasn't until this year when a group pulled the pair together.
It was during the East Vancouver Cultural Crawl when a jurying committee from the Amelia Douglas Gallery was visiting O'Regan's pad and suggested her images would work well with Shiozaki's pieces.
O'Regan thought it would be interesting idea, too, and asked Shiozaki to give it a whirl.
Their challenge was unique: How could they design works that would bridge both mediums?
It would have to be a delicate execution, merging his fragile art form with her sharp, symmetrical pictures of nature.
Luckily, the partnership proved successful and, for their exhibit titled Bloom, they produced a series of three-dimensional ceramics, large-scale macro photos, photopolymer prints and paintings.
Bloom, which closes this week at the Port Moody Arts Centre, "refers to a time or period of greatest beauty and artistry," said O'Regan, who will speak on Thursday with Shiozaki about their show. "Usually, in nature, it is a period when flowers open. Additionally, in this case, it is a period of development where there is progress - a process of evolution in a favourable environment."
Their PMAC exhibit is only a preview. In January, the two artists will open their full display at the Amelia Douglas Gallery in New Westminster; it runs until Feb. 13.
Kathryn Gibson O'Regan and Robert Shiozaki will speak on Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. as part of PMAC's Creative Conservations program.
