Stunning colours and accents of gold have enraptured the audiences at the Art Gallery of Swift Current. 

'Flor y Canto' is the exhibit taking people's breath away at the gallery, set to run until June 7. Opening day saw artist Gabriela Garcia-Luna introducing her work, which is a combination of natural elements found in Saskatchewan and Mexico. 

Gabriela Garcia-Luna stands besides one of her larger works. Gabriela Garcia-Luna stands besides one of her larger works. 

For her, the last 15 years living in Saskatchewan taught her about the subtle beauty of the prairies, which after visiting her family and friends after the pandemic, she felt inspired to combine with images of the natural world of Mexico. 

This stunning representation of two cultures and two ecosystems that Garcia-Luna has so carefully crafted together emerges in stunning neon colours and earth tones on black parchment, interspersed with spontaneous arrangements of gold. 

Many of these works had people engrossed in conversation long after they had departed for the parking lot, proving a depth of connection with viewers. Many of these works had people engrossed in conversation long after they had departed for the parking lot, proving a depth of connection with viewers. 

"It's the harmonious organization of nature that really draws me to look into it and take from it," said Garcia-Luna. "The work has been done in the last few years through my research of the land in Saskatchewan."

Some of the more exotic elements that folks may recognize are waterlilies in bloom, birds of paradise, or even more familiar forms of greenery that can be found along the many prairie-bound river banks of Saskatchewan.

These expressions of the natural world drew all sorts of conclusions from the masses as they waded in and around the gallery. Many were taken by the striking sharpness of the details, while others were able to communicate feeling through colour and tone. Some even managed to identify the exact flowers present in the compositions. 

The more vibrant colours attract the eye, lending strength to the subtler details that continue to hold interest after the gaze wanders from the initial point of recognition. The more vibrant colours attract the eye, lending strength to the subtler details that continue to hold interest after the gaze wanders from the initial point of recognition. 

"I think the work has an existence in the viewer," explained Garcia-Luna. "First of all, I think the work doesn't exist in the words or in the frame or in the paper. It only comes to life when somebody else is able to connect to it and is able to relate to it from a deep place."

This particular body of work is being displayed openly to the public but has a deep and personal meaning for Garcia-Luna. She has devoted each of these pieces in 'Flor y Canto' to two special people. The first is her mother, Socorro Rodriguez Pardo, while the second is her close friend from Saskatchewan, Thara Maharaj. 

These works will be on display for some time and are available for purchase. If anyone feels that they can't possibly see one of these paintings, or even the whole collection, anywhere else but in their collection, they can speak to the Art Gallery about purchasing.