Gallery Surf is the Straight's weekly feature showcasing must-see art gallery exhibits that are opening this weekend. Surf through the images and if you like what you see, check out the art IRL.

Dana Claxton: Made to be Ready

In this exhibition, Dana Claxton uses a variety of mediums (video, photographs, multi-channel installations and performances) to explore the spiritual, political, and cultural life of Indigenous peoples of the Americas, with a specific focus on the Plains First Nations. Her work serves as a criticism of the way that Indigenous people are represented in Western anthology, art, and entertainment. In her photographs, she focuses largely on womanhood and sovereignty, and draws on Lakota author and scholar Gerald Vizenor's notion of 'survivance' (survival and resilience as a means of resistance). Made to be Ready will be at Audain Gallery at the SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts from January 14 to March 12. 

Graeme Patterson: Secret Citadel

Bleachers, bunk beds, and pianos are turned into works of art in Graeme Patterson's exhibition, Secret Citadel, which tells the story of a male friendship through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Four large-scale installations are accompanied by stop motion animation, which sees Patterson and his first best friend Yuki represented by an anthromorphized bison and cougar. The artist draws on personal memories to highlight themes of love and loss, play and competition, and companionship and loneliness. Secret Citadel will be on display at Surrey Art Gallery from January 16 to March 20, with a guided tour by the artist and opening reception starting at 6:30 p.m. on January 16.

Maria Flawia Litwin: The Lowest Relief

Using a traditional Polish paper-cutting technique called wycinanki (pronounced vih-chee-nahn-kee), Maria Flawia Litwin weaves together stories of memories, social history, symbolism, and mythology. While each piece is rooted in details of her past, she focuses on "quintessential life experiences" like birth and death, and love, fear, or passion, without including overt personal narratives. The intricately designed cut-outs are whimsical but touched with elements of dark humour. The Lowest Relief will be at Back Gallery Project from January 15 to February 12, with an artist talk taking place on January 16 at 2 p.m.

Andrea Fernandez: Community: A Photo Essay on Makers

By highlighting a group of makers in and around the city, with special focus on Commercial Drive, Andrea Fernandez explores the notions of social groups and their interactions, and the contributions that these groups and individuals make to the surrounding community. The artist says her goal is to showcase the care put into their craftsmanship, while also drawing attention to their young age and the fact that as young professionals, many are "not conforming to what is expected of them." Community: A Photo Essay on Makers will be on display at Studio 126 from January 14 to February 14.

Connie Sabo: Information + Impression 

Connie Sabo's latest body of work, Information + Impression, examines our relationship with technology: while it can inform and enlighten us, it can also contain and control us. To convey this message, Sabo uses newspaper to create the entire installation. She tears the newspaper into strips and then, by twisting and weaving it together, the information contained within the paper becomes transformed, creating a different message. Sabo's installation will be exhibited at North Vancouver City Hall in the City Atrium Gallery from January 12 to April 11.