Featured artist: Barbara Bickel

"For visual artist, Barbara Bickel, the figure is a profound vehicle of expression. Emotions, psychological postures, political stances and many more intangible realities of the human condition are evoked in the gestures of her figures." Yvonne Owens, art historian & art writer

Barbara Bickel is an artist, researcher, educator and independent curator. She is currently working on a PhD in Art Education (Curriculum Studies) at the University of British Columbia where her arts-based research is focused on women, spiritual leadership, ritual and education. Barbara completed her MA in Education at the University of British Columbia in 2004. She holds a BFA in Painting from the University of Calgary and a BA in Sociology and Art History from the University of Alberta. Her art and performance rituals have been exhibited and performed in Canada since 1991. She co-founded The Centre Gallery (1995-2001), a non-profit womens focused gallery in Calgary, Alberta. More of her art can be viewed on-line at http://www.barbarabickel.ca