In The Shadow of the Pavilions: Expo 86 and Contemporary Art
Jordan Strom's PhD Project
April 18 鈥� June 7, 2026
Surrey Art Gallery
13750 88 Ave, Surrey, BC
Free!
Across numerous pavilions, multiple outdoor plazas and within various museums and public galleries around the Lower Mainland, Expo 86 brought together a wide variety of artists and artworks from across Canada and around the world. At the same time, Vancouver's world's fair, and the concurrent Vancouver's Centennial celebrations, attracted a wide range of parallel art initiatives. On the occasion of Expo's 40th anniversary, this exhibition highlights some of the extraordinary art from around British Columbia's Lower Mainland during Canada's second world's fair moment.
With close to 22 million visitors, Expo 86 was one of the largest public events in Canadian history. Between May 2nd and October 13, 1986, Expo brought together an unprecedented number of artists from a wide spectrum of disciplines and media. Yet, in comparison with Canada's other major world's fair Expo 67, there has never been an exhibition that has closely examined Expo 86 though its art.
Through original artworks and archival materials, In the Shadow of the Pavilions: Expo 86 and Contemporary Art examines some of the official art from the world's fair, along with unofficial art and programming that coincided with this transformational event. With over 35 artists included in the exhibition, there will be works of photography, painting, installation art, performance art, and video examine themes of communication, transportation, urban development, resource extraction, Indigenous self-determination, from the years of 1984 to 1988. The first of its kind, the exhibition will provide an opportunity to re-evaluate the significance of art from Expo 86 and the larger context in which it took place.
Curator: Jordan Strom
Events
Spring Opening: Take the Road to the Future Past Art Party
Saturday, April 18 | 6:00 PM 鈭� 9:00 PM
Expo Lines: Art and Expo86 鈥� A Symposium
Saturday, May 9 | 1:00 PM 鈭� 4:30 PM
Curator鈥檚 Tour with Jordan Strom (Curator of Exhibitions and Collections)
Thursday, May 28 | 7:00 PM 鈭� 8:30 PM
Family Art Party: Travelling Through Time
Sunday, June 7 | 1:00 PM 鈭� 5:00 PM
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