I am excited to share that three of my paintings have been selected for The Shape of Change, a curated exhibition currently on view in Airdrie, Alberta. The exhibition brings together artists whose work reflects how transformation unfolds through pattern, perception, and lived experience.
The show is curated by Ash Slemming and explores the idea that change is not a single moment but a process that reveals structure over time. For artists working with geometry, rhythm, and visual perception, the theme provides a rich framework to explore how movement and progress can be expressed visually.
Exhibition details
Exhibition: The Shape of Change
Public viewing: January 23 – May 2026
Location: Inspire Facility, 805 Main Street S, Airdrie, Alberta
Curator tour and opening: January 29, 7:00–8:30 pm
The curatorial prompt
Works in The Shape of Change were selected through the following prompt:
“Like the act of unfolding, change reveals a pattern, a geometry or choreography of being and learning that is only just beginning to be understood. It is not static, but fluid – moving through time, space and form in ways that are often mysterious.”
What I appreciate about this prompt is how it frames change as something that can be observed. Even when transformation feels uncertain, it often leaves behind visible structures, patterns, and rhythms that shape how we move forward.
Why Airdrie is the perfect setting for this exhibition
Airdrie is one of the fastest growing cities in Alberta, and that rapid growth makes the theme of the exhibition particularly meaningful.
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, Airdrie’s population grew by more than 20 percent between 2016 and 2021, reaching over 74,000 residents. The city has continued to expand quickly since then, with recent municipal counts placing the population at more than 85,000.
New neighbourhoods, new infrastructure, and new communities are constantly forming. In many ways, the city itself is an example of change unfolding in real time. This makes The Shape of Change feel less like an abstract concept and more like a reflection of the environment surrounding the exhibition.
My approach to geometry and change
My work is rooted in hard edge abstraction, where clean lines and defined shapes create a sense of clarity and direction. I use geometry because it allows me to explore the relationship between structure and progress.
Change often appears fluid, but many transformations are built through repetition and deliberate decisions. In my paintings, structure becomes a way to make those choices visible. Lines create direction, color builds momentum, and the repetition of shapes reflects perseverance.
Within this exhibition, my work contributes to the conversation by exploring how clarity and persistence can shape outcomes over time.
The three paintings included in the exhibition
Three of my works were selected for The Shape of Change, each reflecting a different aspect of transformation and forward movement.
Happy Moments
This piece explores joy as something that is both experienced and created. Vibrant colors and rhythmic shapes suggest moments of brightness that appear naturally within the structure of everyday life.
Within Reach
This painting reflects the moment when an idea or goal begins to feel attainable. The geometry creates a sense of forward motion, suggesting that progress often begins when something shifts from possibility to action.
Foothills
Foothills represent the beginning of ascent. In this work, layered forms suggest gradual movement upward, reflecting the persistence required to move toward new terrain.
A conversation between artists
One of the most interesting aspects of curated exhibitions is the dialogue that develops between artists. Even when styles differ, shared themes create connections across the works.
A notable contributor to the exhibition is Calgary-based artist Rhys Douglas Farrell, whose hard edge abstract paintings explore optical perception through color and form.
His paintings create optical illusions through precise color relationships and geometric structures. Drawing from both graffiti and street painting traditions as well as minimal op art, his work investigates how line and shape influence visual perception.
Visit the exhibition
If you are in the Calgary region, The Shape of Change is open to the public through May and offers a chance to see how different artists interpret transformation through visual form.
Experiencing the works together in a shared space creates a dialogue that cannot be replicated online.
More information about the exhibition can be found here.
If you visit the show, feel free to share a photo and tag me on Instagram (@elena_alexander_art). I always enjoy seeing how the work connects with viewers in real space.
About the Artist
Elena Alexander is a Calgary-based geometric abstract painter known for her hard edge compositions that explore clarity, perseverance, and deliberate structure through color and line.