Kristina Søbstad and Jared Betts – Symbiosis

Christina Parker Gallery is pleased to announce SYMBIOSIS, an exhibition of new paintings by Kristina Søbstad and Jared Betts. The exhibition opens with an artist reception on April 22 from 6–8pm, with the artists in attendance, and continues until May 14.

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“Every single breath we draw in, we inhale what our natural environment provides and in releasing that breath our environment breathes us back,” writes Kristina Søbstad. “Symbiosis refers to the interaction between two different organisms living in a close physical association typically to the advantage of both. This body of work highlights our symbiotic relationship with our delicate but also resilient natural environment. We are components of these spaces, not merely visitors. Our natural environment imprints on our physical and emotional selves, just the same as we imprint on it, a visceral and beautiful exchange.”

“Nebulas, friendship, fantasy, working together, stars, animal instincts and energy, were all words that Kristina Søbstad and I were inspired by for our Symbiosis duo exhibition,” writes Jared Betts. “Kristina and I both have a deep appreciation for abstract art, forests, stars, the ocean and mixed media mark making. Lately, I have been realizing more than ever that we are made of the same things stars are made of… the same atoms in our bodies are the same atoms that are created in the dying stage of an exploding star called a supernova. Too often, we can be so busy during the day that we can forget just how beautiful and magical we are as humans.”

“Art can be about a feeling rather than representation, and that is what the basis of Symbiosis is all about for me. I love the idea of working from my emotions and using mixed media to express myself through color, glitter, spray paint, splatters and prism light energy. Symbiosis is about bringing together my neo abstract expressionist works with Kristina’s synesthetic abstract dream landscapes with mountains and rushing energy flowing through valleys and bodies of water like electrical storms of fantastical ethereal bliss.”

Kristina Søbstad is a Norwegian-Canadian visual artist currently based between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Canada. Søbstad earned a BFA from NSCAD University in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2010. Since 2007, she has participated in over 175 international group and solo exhibitions. Most recently, Søbstad completed a residency and exhibition with the Museum of Modern Art in Chiloé, Chile. In 2015, while exhibiting in Paris, Søbstad’s work was purchased by the Paris Francophilie Art Bank. Her work has since been featured on the cover of international, bestselling academic books such as Reaching Through Resistance by Dr. Allan Abbass.

Download Kristina Søbstad’s CV

Kristina Søbstad Brochure

Since earning a BFA from NSCAD University, Jared Betts has exhibited in over 200 exhibitions in places such as Tokyo, Paris, New York, London, Iceland, Germany, Costa Rica and all across Canada. His paintings are included in numerous corporate and private collections in Paris, Toronto, Montreal, Los Angeles, China, Australia and Iceland. Jared’s significant accomplishments include exhibiting in Tokyo and at the National Gallery of Costa Rica, giving an artist talk at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and exhibiting in two group shows at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. Based in Moncton, New Brunswick, he is the recipient of eleven ArtsNB grants, as well as numerous Tourism, Culture and Heritage grants from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Christina Parker Gallery is pleased to announce that we now represent Jared Betts. Symbiosis is his inaugural exhibition with the gallery.

Download Jared Betts’s CV

Jared Betts Brochure

Symbiosis opens with an artist reception on April 22 from 6–8pm, with artists Kristina Søbstad and Jared Betts in attendance, and music by Boyd Chubbs. The show will continue until May 14.

Due to the ongoing spread of Covid-19 in the community, we ask that anyone attending the opening on April 22 wear a mask and observe social distancing.

Gallery hours are 11–5pm Tuesday through Saturday.