A new exhibition that opened May 2 at the Moose Jaw Centre for Arts and Culture offers more than a collection of paintings — it presents a deeply personal dialogue between place, memory, and an artist’s identity.

For Regina-based artist Aleksandra Yasinowski, the show marks her first solo exhibition, a milestone that arrives after years of quiet evolution and a recent surge of creative output.

“I’ve created over 100 artworks this year, so putting this together felt natural,” she said. “I just go with what I feel, and it all comes together. It’s a very good vibe, and I hope viewers experience it the same way.”

Working primarily in oil on canvas using a palette knife, Yasinowski’s paintings are immediately defined by their texture and intensity. Thick, sculptural layers of paint create surfaces that feel almost alive, described by one viewer in Moose Jaw as “juicy,” an unusual art critique she has since embraced.

“There’s a lot of texture and vibrant colour … and I really liked that,” she said with a chuckle. “They do look juicy.”

The exhibition unfolds as a visual narrative titled Between Two Homes, a concept that anchors the work both emotionally and geographically. At the front of the gallery, bold floral compositions dominate, richly coloured, expressive, and rooted in tradition. These pieces reference her Polish heritage, incorporating patterns inspired by 19th-century folk art.

As visitors move deeper into the space, the work shifts. The florals give way to expansive prairie landscapes with wide skies, open fields, and subtle nods to a new home in Saskatchewan. These pieces represent her life in Canada, where she has now lived for more than 13 years.

What binds both bodies of work is a commitment to intuition over precision. Yasinowski paints largely from memory, avoiding reference images unless working on commission.

“I look, I remember, and then I paint,” she said. “Everything comes from memory.”

That approach lends her work a distinctive quality, one that feels recognizably real yet softened and reinterpreted through emotion. She described her style as a balance between realism and abstraction, with forms that remain identifiable but never rigid.

Her process also reflects a deliberate rejection of constraint. While many artists focus on a single subject or series, Yasinowski embraces creative freedom, moving fluidly between florals, landscapes, and other colourful inspirations.

“I like my freedom when I paint, and I don’t want to be stuck painting the same thing for months,” she said. “One day I might paint florals, the next day prairies. That’s what art should be about — the freedom to create without being confined to a frame.”

Beyond technique and composition, the emotional tone of the exhibition is unmistakable. Yasinowski’s work is intentionally optimistic, a response to what she sees as an increasingly heavy world.

“I want to bring colours that are happy and positive,” she said. “There’s so much grey in the world today. I want something bright, simple and uplifting, without darkness.”

That philosophy shapes the viewer experience. Rather than demanding interpretation, her paintings invite it by offering accessibility without sacrificing depth.

“When you look at the painting, you see flowers. They’re happy and colourful, and they speak to all ages,” she said. “Everyone can see them differently.”

The exhibition also hints at a rapidly accelerating career. One of her works has been selected for the Art to the Hearts – Women in Arts Award (Sixth Edition), an international recognition celebrating 100 women artists worldwide. Future shows are already planned, including a return to Moose Jaw in early 2027. She also holds exhibiting membership status with the Federation of Canadian Artists, a peer-juried designation recognizing consistent professional quality.

For now, Between Two Homes stands as both a “juicy” introduction and a vivid statement.

“I just want people to feel good when they walk in,” Yasinowski said. “Just a positive vibe.”

The exhibition is on display at 217 Main Street North through June 27, with a live painting event scheduled for June 13 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. To learn more, visit 82Studio.ca.

Aaron Walker

Reporter

Moose Jaw Express