When was the last time you counted to 15,000? Or even tried to imagine 15,000 of something? Would you be curious to see what a group of 15,000 silk-screened handmade paper boxes might look like? Okanagan audiences will have the chance to see this for themselves in a solo show by Canadian artist Mitch Mitchell. For Whom You Build will be on view at the Kelowna Art Gallery from April 11 to June 28, 2015.

Mitch Mitchell is intent on pushing the boundaries of traditional printmaking, both conceptually and physically. The artist’s new exhibition comprises 15,000 small individually folded paper boxes. Each box has been printed using a silkscreen process in various colours and patterns which creates a remarkable effect when piled together in the middle of the gallery space. The completed installation is about the size of a small car. For Whom You Build is a tribute to the artist’s grandfather.

Mitchell is currently an Assistant Professor teaching printmaking at Concordia University in Montreal. He holds a BFA in painting and printmaking from the Illinois State University at Bloomington, and an MFA in printmaking from the University of Alberta.

Mitchell was the prizewinner in the 2012 incarnation of the Okanagan Printmaking Triennial, a collaborative project of the Kelowna Art Gallery, the UBCO, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery. As prizewinner, he was awarded a solo exhibition at the Kelowna Art Gallery this spring, in conjunction with this year’s OPT exhibition at the Vernon Public Art Gallery which is currently on view through May 21, 2015).

An opening reception to celebrate this exhibition will be held on Friday, April 10, from 7 to 9 pm, at the Kelowna Art Gallery. This is a free event, open to Gallery members and guests, by invitation. The artist will be in attendance.

The Kelowna Art Gallery is located at 1315 Water Street in downtown Kelowna. For more information about current exhibitions, public programming or special events, please visit the Kelowna Art Gallery online at www.kelownaartgallery.com or call 250-762-2226.