The Neon Gargoyle brings ‘the weird’ to Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre

Taylor Sandell, local multimedia artist is gearing up for their first solo gallery exhibit with The Neon Gargoyle opening up at Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre (RVAC) Thursday, Sept. 5. The multi-media show, pitched as an antique store from a parallel world, includes neon signs, wood etchings and other mediums to create the collection of “faux antiques.”

“Some items look at first to be normal but then you look a little closer and things get weird,” Sandell told Revelstoke Mountaineer. 

Using a collection of repurposed items salvaged from the trash and collected from thrift stores, the subjects of The Neon Gargoyle play with the assumption of value. The exhibit explores and champions not just themes of femininity, queer identities and sexual empowerment, it gives space for identities and communities often overlooked. It’s a lot for a small gallery space to take on Sandell admitted, but she wanted to create a space and conversation for those not included in a town focused on mountain views and outdoor activities.

Sandell has documented their work on the exhibit, including honest thoughts about soldering attempts, lamenting how long she has gone without an airbrush and giving hints to the pieces that will be showcased at The Neon Gargoyle show. The behind-the-scenes look has also helped Sandell counter the narrative that sometimes comes with found-pieces artwork.

“I don’t want people to look at it and think, ‘okay, she pulled some things out of the dump and painted it’,” Sandell explained. “I really wanted to show how much work goes into reclaiming and salvaging materials.”

With a background in digital art and animation, Sandell used those skills to map out pieces, develop mixed-media works for The Neon Gargoyle and explore techniques that bring some hint of their history in digital art to a show that’s centered around physical pieces. It’s been a way to continue pushing boundaries with the show and make it a little weirder at every iteration.

“I’ve really just learned to lean into the weird, it’s what people are drawn to in my works.”

The Neon Gargoyle has been over two years in the making, originally pitched to the RVAC and rejected. In that time Sandell has been able to refine the focus for the show and push the exhibit pieces into a level of authentic weirdness she says she’s quite proud to showcase.

The Neon Gargoyle’s opening event is Thursday, Sept. 5. Gallery opens for a quiet showing at 3 p.m. and the social starts at 5 p.m. Enjoy live music, drinks and a chance to chat with gallery artists. Catch The Neon Gargoyle at the RVAC Thursday, Sept. 5 to Sunday, Oct. 6.