A Port Coquitlam painter wants to send a message - that peace is possible, even in a society that's been "hijacked" by the war economy - at the upcoming PechaKucha event.
"I hope to tell the story of how I became an advocate for peace and to encourage others to find what social cause drives them and to express themselves through it," said artist Brad Nickason.
Nickason, who started the Peace Art Collective, will be among 11 presenters at ArtsConnect's PechaKucha Volume 10 event - a special ArtWalk edition - on April 2. The artists, teachers, actors, musicians, photographer and children's author/animator will be aiming to answer the age-old question, "What is art?"
Nickason's presentation will include artworks that are part of his Peace Art Collective as he talks about art he'll be installing for the Port Moody ArtWalk April 13-14. Those works will include a series of stylized signs on Clarke Street, a series of peace paintings and a chance for the public to participate in the creation of a peace mural.
"The Peace Art Collective was started from a desire to project peace awareness in a world where the primary conversation reflects conflict," Nickason said. "My art is an expression of what I imagine the world could be if we changed our perspective and lead with our humanity."
PechaKucha Volume 10 is on April 2 at the Evergreen Cultural Centre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or 604-927-6555.
