Curatorial Statement
Allie Baillie

This exhibition aims to provide a space for the public to consider societal overconsumption on an individual level. In a place like downtown Calgary, hustle culture is extremely prevalent, and the fast-paced, crowded atmosphere creates a lingering tension. Oddly, these traits make this the perfect atmosphere for reflection. A mix of pop-culture references, familiar household items, discarded fragments, and what some might simply call “junk,” constructs the controlled chaos of Oasis. However, this work requires a viewer to slow down and take a minute to contemplate the content of the piece. Exploring the complexities of Oasis allows viewers to make unique personal connections to whatever objects, colours, or themes interest them, and to reflect on the individual desires that comprise our collective habits. Oasis mirrors the layered and often contradictory relationships we have with consumption, our attachment to objects, and our accumulation of material objects that both comfort and overwhelm us.


For many of us, our first connection to material culture comes through stuffed animals and soft toys as children. We cherished these objects dearly as they became a part of our selves and helped build our identity piece by piece. Unfortunately though, material culture will always have its own agenda, and in the case of toys, they are usually split into things ‘fit’ for boys and girls exclusively. From a young age, this not only pushes expectations of what society considers appropriate gender appearances and activities, but also excludes anyone who feels they don’t fit into these roles. You’re Late uses the materiality of bright plush toys to reject these gender cliches that for so many queer kids have only restricted and repressed their true identity. Each plush represents a different gender identity, playing with the traditional symbols of male and female, and creating completely new and distinctive symbols that take on their own meaning. In a political climate that does not support younger queer people, this sculpture serves as a whimsical representation of life, showing how it is filled with our individual experiences and identities, but also how material culture affects these parts of us. It’s hard to notice, but the keys buried in this bag also serve as a reminder that under a capitalistic society, there will always be the pressure to keep working and keep hustling. Tying back into Oasis, the chaos and expectations of the money centered society we live in is present even in the most intimate parts of our identity. Essentially, this piece is a bright display of queer joy and discovery, with the small interruption of cold, hard reality.

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Gaptooth Sweatsuit is the visual art duo of Megan Kirk and Stephen Harper. Gaptooth Sweatsuit primarily works with local businesses, bands and artists to produce high-quality silkscreened products and limited edition print runs. They also maintain individual art practices under Jane Trash and Photomawf. 


Allie Baillie is a student at the University of Calgary, currently in her last year of an Art History degree with a minor in Museum and Heritage Studies. Allie is passionate about giving current artists the chance to share their work and unique experiences with the public. While studying and curating art is her passion, she also loves creating art as a form of love and expression.

For the past five years, crocheting has been her medium of choice. She describes her projects as a labour of love, as this time-consuming and often frustrating medium is almost always done in appreciation for someone or something. Through her love of crochet, she developed a deep appreciation and interest in fibre arts and textiles generally, which she hopes to continue exploring in graduate studies.

By studying societal reactions to art, Allie has concluded that exposure is the greatest gift we can offer the public. She has assisted in the preparation and curation of exhibitions at Nickle Galleries and started her journey into creating her own curatorial goals and style. She strives to devote her professional life to creating and nurturing artistic spaces in which underrepresented voices can be exhibited.