The Structure of Smoke

The Structure of Smoke explores artworks that problematize the poetic, structural and political aspects of fire. In a region where wildfires regularly impact our lives and the landscape, The Structure of Smoke gathers together artists to conceptualize our relationship to this challenging force of nature.

This exhibition is co-curated by Melanie O̓Brian and Tania Willard, Director of the Belkin Gallery and UBC Okanagan Gallery, and is a reimagined version of the exhibition at the Belkin Gallery from January to April 2-26. 

It is presented in collaboration with the Morris and Helen Belkin Gallery.

The Structure of Smoke

May 21 to August 18, 2026, FINA Gallery

Opening Reception: Thursday, May 21, 4-6pm

Gallery Hours: Weekdays, 9am to 4pm.

Performance with Woojae Kim and Adrian Avendaño: Thurdsay May 21, beginning at 4:30 pm

Throughout the exhibition contemporary artists explore both the metaphorical and literal processes of fire and the spaces it creates and displaces. In a range of mediums including sculpture, video, screen prints, photography and painting, the works challenge the viewer to examine the ways in which we live with fire both now and in the future.

The exhibition brings together works from select artists in the original exhibition run including Amber Frid-Jimenez, Samuel Roy-Bois, Heraa Khan, Jeneen Frei Njootli, Other Sights, Pratchaya Phinthong, Art Hunter, and Susan Point. The Okanagan syilx territory edition of the exhibit includes artists Taylor Baptiste, Andreas Rutkauskas, and Woojae Kim.

Artist talks and panel discussion moderated by Tania Willard
Join us on Friday, July 10, for Smoke Forecast II, an afternoon with visual artist Taylor Baptiste (Okanagan Nation) and UBC Vancouver lecturer in Indigenous Land Stewardship, Russell Myers Ross (Tsilhqot’in Nation).

Who: Taylor Baptiste and Russell Myers Ross
When: Friday, July 10, 3:00 – 4:30PM
Where: University Theatre, ADM 026, UBC Okanagan Campus