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.

Hamish Todd: Seen Through Coal

The work in this exhibit by Vancouver-based artist Hamish Todd is inspired by a trip taken on a coal-carrying freight train. In an artist statement, Todd reminisces about the experience: "We’d waited hours and an empty coal train was all that showed up. We hopped it, rode through wide-open fields, tunnels, forest fires, industry. Leaning into the noise, coal dusting our lungs and faces. It covered us slowly. In the town people wondered where we’d come from, where we’d been working. The next morning we found a pancake breakfast. It was Canada Day." Various surfaces are used in this body of work, including paper, canvas, wood, and plastic. Seen Through Coal will be on display at JAC Studio from April 21 to 28.

Lyse Lemieux: A Girl's Gotta Do What a Girl's Gotta Do

A combination of large wall drawings, smaller ink and felt sketches, and sketchbooks loaded with collages and paintings will be showcased in Lyse Lemieux's latest exhibit, A Girl's Gotta Do What a Girl's Gotta Do. Her work, both representative and abstract, has long maintained a relationship to the human figure. Lemiuex uses a variety of materials including wool, felt, buttons, foamcore, and pushpins, to construct figures that draw on ideas related to the female experience. This exhibition will take place at Richmond Art Gallery from April 23 to July 3. An opening reception will be held on April 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. 

Enda Bardell: Spacial Explorations

Painter Enda Bardell's body of work is diverse, and ranges from softly lit landscapes to hard-edged abstractions. The latter is showcased in her latest solo exhibition, Spacial Explorations, which will include roughly 27,936 square inches of hard edge abstract paintings. In an artist statement, Bardell says she "deeply enjoy[s]... exploring the relationship between patterns and simple shapes with elements of colour to create a composition of dynamic impact." She explores the tension between different forms and patterns that are influenced by close-ups of architectural landscape. Spacial Explorations will be on display at the Waterfall Building from April 21 to May 3. 

Laura Lamb: Points North

In Points North, artist Laura Lamb reflects on her recent Klondike's artist residency through a variety of mediums, including drawing, assemblage, photography, video and text. Lamb's field of inquiry is widely inclusive in scope. It ranges from folk tales and circus to Shakespeare and Brechtian theatre, from post-modern self-reflexive critique to existential problems of living authentically and from history and memory to the marvelous and the absurd. Lamb's work will be exhibited at Alexander Lamb Antiques from April 23 to May 15. An opening reception will take place on April 23 (Saturday) from 7 to 10 p.m. 

Various artists: Homesick

In Homesick, the work of 25 different artists with varying backgrounds, practices, and perspectives captures the inner feelings and emotions that arise when we are removed from the ultimate comfort: home. Participating artists include Erica Weiss, Kimberley Blackstock, and Catherine Nicholls. Artists reflect on how, in our transitory society, "homesickness" can be felt for more than just a place, but a person, an experience, a tradition. Homesick will be on display at Cityscape Community Art Space in North Vancouver from April 16 to May 21.