BY KIRSTEN BOLTON
FOR ARTSPRING
With Birgit and Robert Bateman in attendance, close to 200 people, including some who travelled from off-island, came together for the opening reception of ArtSpring’s exhibition Confluence: The Bateman Collection on Saturday, May 17.
A week later, as Robert celebrated his 95th birthday, almost 1,000 people had been through the gallery to experience this intimate look into the lives, work and personal collections of two of Canada’s most influential artistic and conservation voices.
In preparation for Robert’s birthday on Saturday, gallery curator Zoe Zafiris-Casey home-baked dozens of complimentary cupcakes for visitors to mark the occasion. Little did she know that Robert and Birgit would return to the gallery and bring 28 extended family members with them.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Zafiris-Casey. “After months and months of working on this exhibition, to have them show up on his birthday and bring multiple generations of children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to celebrate almost brought me to tears.”
With cupcakes in hand, Robert and family lingered for more than an hour as he delighted surprised visitors with impromptu stories about several pieces on display with his trademark storytelling charm.
Earlier in the week, he slipped back into his life as a teacher and educator to lead tours and talks to multiple Gulf Islands Secondary School student groups about the backstories to his pieces, the intersection of art and the environment, and living a life of purpose.
On Tuesday, May 27, Zafiris-Casey and local photographic artist Seth Berkowitz conducted a curators talk, spotlighting the art, adventure and advocacy of photographer Birgit Freybe Bateman. While lesser known around the world than Robert, wife and artistic partner Birgit is a venerable and much-exhibited photographer — an artist whose global travels and poetic eye bring forward the quiet, layered beauty of overlooked places and people.
“I have had many visitors comment they appreciate Birgit’s work and voice being represented in this exhibition,” said Zafiris-Casey. “She wrote the introductions to each of the continents and regions we have here on display, she has been an absolute force in their journey together and is an artist in her own right.”
It was Berkowitz, a colleague who has co-presented work alongside Birgit for years, who sparked the original idea for the behind-the-scenes Confluence exhibition. His display wall of Bateman family photos has become one of the most popular stops in the gallery.
Displaying a life of love and commitment, the photos capture moments with Jane Goodall, a camel nibbling Birgit’s face, action shots in the jungle, snapshots from a logging protest and quiet moments in their home studio.
From Salt Springers to tourists from Whitehorse, California and Edmonton, visitors of all ages have taken the opportunity to sign the guest book with messages wishing Robert a happy birthday, but also to express some heartfelt connections, memories and feelings the exhibition has evoked.
As the emotional visitor from Edmonton wrote, “This was more than I expected. Family stories, sculpture, fellow artist influencers. All so moving. Bateman was my late wife’s favourite artist, and I feel like she is here with me in this room today. Kudos.”
The exhibition has been extended to Sunday, June 1. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.