Art Rental & Sales at the Vancouver Art Gallery is pleased to present Archival Abloom, a show of new work by Featured Artist Karl Mata Hipol.  

Karl Mata Hipol, Inubon a Sabong (String of Flowers), 2025, acrylic and archival print on canvas, 37" x 43"

Karl Mata Hipol delves into the realm of archival photography, drawing from museum collections to unearth the gaps and erasures of Filipino representation within mainstream art institutions. Archival Abloom cultivates a dialogue on the invisibility of Filipinos despite their deep-rooted contributions to Canada’s cultural, social, and economic landscape. By cross-pollinating archival materials with personal and cultural memory, Hipol engages in a broader conversation on decolonizing museums and diversifying historical narratives to allow marginalized voices to flourish.

His series, "Weaving Heritage – Atang," germinates new archival narratives by intertwining Ilocano cultural heritage with historical fragments. Motivated by two photographic slides from the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies—depicting cemetery scenes in Manila—Hipol reimagines these images and expands the fonds by collecting native flowers from British Columbia. Interwoven with Ilocano Inabel textile motifs, these compositions bloom as acts of reclamation, transforming static records into dynamic, living histories.

Through this visual intervention, Hipol invites viewers to confront and celebrate the rich tapestry of Filipino heritage within the Canadian landscape—one that has long existed yet remains largely unacknowledged. Archival Abloom serves as both a tribute and a challenge: a call to recognize, honour, and reframe the narratives of those who have been left on the other side of history’s fence.

Join us for an artist talk with Karl Mata Hipol on Friday, April 11th from 6 - 8pm in the showroom. Space is limited, RSVP recommended but not required. RSVP to info@artrentalandsales.com.