The Art Gallery of Golden will be opening a new exhibit featuring a local artist, Marijan Grobbink.

LOVE, LABOUR, LOSS is opening with a reception at the gallery on Friday, October 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit will be open for three weeks and will close November 21.

Grobbink’s work plays on themes of grief, longing and loss. Grobbink explains that the series of pieces on display reflect her own experience with grief over a two-and-a-half year period. The exhibit is a mirror of the psychological process of working through the issues.

As an art therapist, Grobbink is familiar with using the medium as a tool for getting in touch with deep emotions. Art therapy is a way for people to access their feelings through various methods of drawing or painting – even scribbling. It provides an objective snapshot of the human psyche, says Grobbink.

Ironically, Grobbink says she didn’t receive high grades in art when she was in high school. She later rediscovered art through art therapy in Vancouver, which has since become an important tool for recharging her creativity.

“When I have an impulse, I can’t not make art,” says Grobbink.

Grobbink explains that she uses a variety of materials to create her art, hard board, paper, pastel, acrylic, wire, metal and things she finds. Her mentor, artist Jane Tevelein-Doel, taught her how to use clay through a process called raku. This gives her work an organic quality. Earth and fire are expressed through clay; water and air are also employed through other materials used.

Grobbink says her whole house has turned into a studio. She started in the spare bedroom but now it dominates nearly every room.

“There’s sawdust and paint everywhere,” says Grobbink.

The upcoming show reflects a turning point in Grobbink’s artistic career. It is her first public showing, and she reflects that this is a part of the process in her series as well. She’s happy that the community of Golden has helped her foster her passion and now she’s ready to share it.

“I’m really grateful to Jane (who curated the show and Bill Usher, Executive Director of Kicking Horse Culture) who gave me the space and helped a lot with the process and all the details with putting on a show that I was unaware of.”

The show opens on Friday, October 30 at the Art Gallery at 5 p.m.