A Wymark-raised artist returned to his roots after twenty years of living away, bringing with him a breathtaking and unique exhibition.  

LyleXOX took over the Art Gallery of Swift Current on Friday with a public reception and artist talk, showcasing his work to close family, long-time friends, and southwest residents. 

IMG_9257.jpeg'Auntie' Margaret searching for a piece of jewellery she sent to LyleXOX

The gallery doors opened at 7 p.m., with folks flooding in to offer support, congratulations, and of course hugs, to the artist.  

“It’s actually really quite overwhelming in this environment,” he said. “It’s not like I’ve never done this before, but to be in a room surrounded by people who I genuinely love is really quite amazing.”

The evening featured snacks and refreshments, live music performed by Dillon Currie, and Lyle’s talk which he used to explain the process and experience of being an artist. 

Folks that walked through the gallery saw self-portraits in which LyleXOX showcases his masks that are made completely of found and recycled garbage. 

A handful of his famed portraits were accompanied by the otherworldly masks themselves displayed in glass casings to show the detail of found items.  

MG_9362'Marine Antoinette' by LyleXOX

“People now from all over the world send their garbage [to me],” Lyle said. “With little love notes that are attached to it, that say ‘We love what you’re doing, we want to be part of the work, please accept our garbage.’”  

While laughter broke out, Lyle added that there is always a treasure to be found amongst the discarded.

These little pieces get incorporated into his portraits, often being glued to his face or sewn onto a mask, creating a sense of community and connection that is unique to each viewer who can search for their contribution to his art. 

IMG_9380'Auntie' Margaret showing off her broach that Lyle used in his piece 'Soap of the Week'

“I believe that there are stories that are trapped in the DNA of all of these found objects,” Lyle said. “Someone had a relationship with that item, they discarded it for whatever reason, they no longer saw the value in it. It’s now my duty as an artist to put value back into it so that all of you in this room can pause for a moment. And just reflect on the fragility of life.” 

The exhibition will stay up for viewing until November 15, located in the Art Gallery of Swift Current.