VANCOUVER.- The Vancouver Art Gallery is presenting Denyse Thomasos: just beyond, a career retrospective honouring the late Trinidadian-Canadian artist, Denyse Thomasos (1964–2012). The exhibition, organized by the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, and Remai Modern, Saskatoon, presents a selection of Thomasos' remarkable paintings, works on paper (many of which have been rarely seen), alongside sketches, photographs and newly uncovered documentary footage of Thomasos working in her studio. Denyse Thomasos: just beyond delves into the artist’s innovative use of formalist techniques to push the boundaries of abstraction, infusing personal and political narratives onto her canvases.

Thomasos was one of the most talented painters to emerge in the 1990s, yet her remarkable contributions to contemporary art have often been overlooked. Through the skillful manipulation of pattern, scale and repetition, Thomasos effectively communicates the vast and enduring impact of historical events, such as the transatlantic slave trade, without exploiting the imagery of those most affected by these events.

“Denyse Thomasos: just beyond is a testament to the power of art in preserving the stories of our past and shaping our future,” said Anthony Kiendl, CEO & Executive Director of the Vancouver Art Gallery. “We are pleased to share with audiences the profound and lasting impact of Thomasos' work."

The exhibition features over 60 of Thomasos' exceptional works, offering a unique opportunity for audiences to explore her remarkable career and artistic evolution. These works illuminate the depth of her innovative techniques and the intricacies of her thematic exploration. The exhibition will include videos shedding light on the legacy and artistry of Thomasos through in-depth glimpses of her professional life.

Denyse Thomasos: just beyond is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue, co-published by the AGO, Remai Modern, and DelMonico Books • D.A.P. and co-edited by exhibition curators Michelle Jacques, Head of Exhibitions and Collections/Chief Curator, Remai Modern; Sally Frater, Curator of Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of Guelph; and Renée van der Avoird, Associate Curator, Canadian Art, Art Gallery of Ontario. The catalogue will be available for purchase at the Gallery Store.

Denyse Thomasos: just beyond opened on November 10, 2023 and is on view through March 24, 2024.

Organized by the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto and Remai Modern, Saskatoon, and curated by Michelle Jacques, Head of Exhibitions and Collections/Chief Curator, Remai Modern; Sally Frater, Curator of Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of Guelph; and Renée van der Avoird, Associate Curator, Canadian Art, Art Gallery of Ontario. Circulated with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.