Object Relations: Inner Symbolic Domains – Elizabeth Ginn
Object Relations: Inner Symbolic Domains – Elizabeth Ginn
Object Relations: Inner Symbolic Domains – Elizabeth Ginn
Object Relations: Inner Symbolic Domains is a series of still life interpretations of collected objects that were used throughout the day and kept in the purse or bag, and accompanied the Artist through multiple hospital stays since her diagnosis of Stage 4 Terminal Cancer in 2016. The pieces rely on certain objects that were collected for attachment, use, comfort, and need throughout the day. The objects in the collection have been collected and displayed at home and in hospital for many years, some are up to 40 years old.
Curated posthumously, these pieces represent Elizabeth’s final years, months, and weeks. Surgeries, rehabilitation, and treatments related to her metastatic cancer and other critical infections resulted in several hospital stays from 2020 – 2025. An Art Therapist (ATx Marylhurst University), Curator, and Artist, Elizabeth remained committed to her practice and applied her methods to her own recovery, exploring the meaning and relation of these objects to her own “inner symbolic domain” as referenced Lusebrink, Dissanayake, Czikszentmiyalyi)
The body of work she built while in and out of hospital is remarkable, as she was painting prolifically as part of her recovery, right up to the days before her death.
Elizabeth would have wanted to ask you to think about what objects you collect, are drawn to, and why. We all have our own inner symbolic domain.
Elizabeth Margaret Ginn painted for the majority of her life. She was 78 years old on the 15th of May, 2025, and died in hospice in Edmonton on June 14, 2025
Originally from Saint John NB, she has lived in 5 provinces in Canada, studied art in Toronto at OCA (Ontario College of Art); University of Lethbridge (BFA 1984), and post graduate studies in psychology at the UofL and Athabasca University; graduate studies at Emily Carr (1985); and Marylhurst University in Oregon for MA in Art Therapy (ATx 2002).
She has been the recipient of grants from the Canada Council, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and scholarships for Emily Carr, Marylhurst and the UofL. Her work has been exhibited extensively in group and solo exhibitions in Ontario, Alberta, BC, and Oregon. She has pieces in the Permanent Collection of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts.
Elizabeth taught and facilitated classes for many years, including ATx at Lethbridge College, and workshops and residencies throughout Alberta at schools and teachers’ conventions. Her work as Director/Curator in galleries in Lethbridge (Radish Factory), Calgary (Triangle Gallery), and Grande Prairie (Grande Prairie Art Gallery), has impacted the careers and practice of many artists over 20+ years.
More recently known throughout Alberta and beyond for her animal advocacy and rescue, Elizabeth is the founder of the Last Chance Cat Ranch in Lethbridge.
Living in Edmonton since 2020 with her family, as an outpatient at the Cross Cancer Institute, she continued to paint and embrace the visual arts for expressing who she is and how painting provides a purpose and means in the process of healing and self exploration. Living with stage 4 terminal cancer, she immersed herself in painting, drawing on her background to seek further alternate exhibition opportunities. She believes that a work of art should be accessible as an object that is meaningful to the person who buys it.
Date:June 13th, 2026 - August 21st, 2026
Location:Casa - Concourse Gallery
Casa Program Guide
The Casa Program Guide is produced three times a year; Winter, Spring/Summer and Fall. Inside the guide find listings for the upcoming class and workshop schedule, upcoming exhibitions at The Gallery, information about artists in residence and seasonal events in the building. Program guides are free. Pick-up guides at Casa or at facilities throughout the city.