For Immediate Release
July 30, 2003

Montreal artist Gisele Amantea investigates the story of Filumena "Florence" Lasandro – an Italian immigrant to western Canada and one of the last women hanged in Canada after being accused of murder in 1922 – in her new solo exhibition called Reading History Backwards that opens at the Walter Phillips Gallery on Friday, August 8. A reception will be held on Thursday, August 7 at 7 p.m. The artist will give a talk about her work on Saturday, August 9 at 2 p.m. in the Gallery.

The installation features a series of 14 large collaged drawings and photographs and coincides with the new Canadian Opera Filumena by John Murrell and John Estacio that runs August 6, 8 and 10 at The Banff Centre. Reading History Backwards explores how historical narratives are very much dependent upon subjective impressions, assumptions, and stereotypes. In the large scale printed pages and photographs, the visual representation of history – through archival photographs and newspaper reports – intertwine with the languages of cinema and comic books.

Among the other works in the exhibition is the installation Do I What? This work combines sound and pattern based on Chantilly lace. As part of the work, the gallery walls are covered with an intricate and stunning design in flocked wallpaper produced by Amantea that overwhelms the viewer with its intensity and visual impact.

Originally from Calgary, Amantea has exhibited in galleries across Canada and internationally. She currently teaches at Concordia University in Montreal.

Reading History Backwards runs August 8 through October 12. More information about this exhibition is available at www.banffcenter.ca/wpg/exhibits/2003/0808_reading_history.

For additional details about Filumena and the Banff Summer Arts Festival visit www.banffcentre.ca/bsaf.

The Walter Phillips Gallery is located in Glyde Hall at The Banff Centre, and is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 12 noon to 5 p.m., and Thursdays from 12 noon to 9 p.m. Admission to the Gallery is free.

Downloadable images are available at ftp://ftp.banffcentre.ca/incoming/WPG/amantea_images/

This exhibition was made possible with the generous support of The Canada Council for the Arts and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.

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