Wanda Lock • member since 2023
Wanda Lock's artistic journey began to take shape in her early years. In 1987, she enrolled in the Fine Arts Diploma program at Okanagan College, where she honed her technical skills and laid the foundation for her artistic pursuits. After completing two years at Okanagan College, Lock transferred to Emily Carr College of Art & Design. In 1992, she graduated from Emily Carr with a studio major in painting and a solid artistic foundation.
Lock's artistic practice primarily centres around painting but extends to mediums such as drawing, collage, and installation. She weaves together themes of domesticity, nostalgia, and banality, inviting viewers to reflect upon the ordinary aspects of everyday life. Lock explores the emotions and memories tied to domestic spaces through her works, unraveling the complexities of personal histories and human connections.
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Lock has been an active curator, contributing to the art community. From 2015 to 2025, she has held the position of curator at the Lake Country Art Gallery, where she has curated exhibitions that showcase the works of emerging and established artists. Her curatorial practice allows her to engage with diverse artistic expressions and create meaningful connections between artists, artworks, and viewers.
Her work belongs to various public art collections, including the Kelowna Art Gallery, Penticton Art Gallery, Headbones Art Gallery, and the Vernon Public Art Gallery. In 2022, Lock was commissioned by the Kelowna Art Gallery to create a site-specific installation at the Kelowna International Airport entitled Kate & Molly, as well as Flying Machines and Poems for Strangers, 2013. In 2016, she collaborated with artist Rena Warren on Escape Artists, a site-specific installation at the Kelowna Art Gallery's Rotary Courtyard, as part of the Artist's Garden Project series.
The Alternator has played, and continues to play, an important role not only in my own art practice, but also in the practices of artists throughout the Okanagan Valley and beyond. Artist-run centres are vital spaces for artists exploring both the meaning and the making of art.
After graduating from art school and returning to the Okanagan in 1992, The Alternator became a focal point for myself and many artists wanting to gather, discuss ideas, and exhibit their work. Like many artist-run organizations, The Alternator serves as a bridge between artists and the public.
Over the years, community engagement, both within the arts community and with the broader public, has continued to grow through numerous projects and initiatives. Having been involved in the local art scene for many years, I can say that the artist talks, professional development workshops, guest lectures, members’ exhibitions, and opening receptions, to name just a few, have all played a significant role in my artistic career.
