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The Secret Gallery

How would it feel if you could escape to a familiar place at any moment's notice? “The Secret Gallery” consists of tiny oil paintings in vintage medicine tins made by Canadian multidisciplinary artist Shelley Vanderbyl. Utilizing the concept of Miniscule Awe, with works as small as 3-4 cm across, Vanderbyl leverages Attention Restoration Theory by drawing the brain into its fascination mode, allowing directed attention to rest. The works in the exhibition stem from a personal project that began around 2010 involving gifting portable artworks to those suffering from Post Traumatic Stress. The recipients could access calming scenes of nature, made with great care by another human's touch. These pieces become secret portals to other parts of the world, always accessible to provide solace. Vanderbyl's art-as-medicine project has grown significantly, reaching hospitals and care homes. Her work has been presented to royalty and in art fairs and exhibitions worldwide. A recent project involved bringing a case of Medicinal Paintings to elders at care homes in Sweden, providing them with a sense of exploration and adventure, even within the confines of their home. To collect Shelley’s work, and start your own secret gallery, please contact office@shelleyvanderbyl.com for the password to our web shop. Shipping once the show ends, or free pickup in Gstaad, approximately end-August 2024.

Artwork in The Secret Gallery

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  1. Shadows on the Road, Phillips Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 6.

    Shadows on the Road, Phillips Tin, 2023

    Oil on Found Object

    2 x 3 in

  2. KALMS, Nanoose Bay by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 4.

    KALMS, Nanoose Bay, c. 2023

    Oil on Found Object, Relational Aesthetics/Interactive Art

    1 x 3 x 0.25 in

  3. Big Cloud on Stanhope Beach - Spartan Aspirin Double Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 2.

    Big Cloud on Stanhope Beach - Spartan Aspirin Double Medicine Tin, 2024

    Oil on Found Object

    2.25 x 3 x 0.25 in

  4. Forest School Beach - Single Flood's Ointment Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 3.

    Forest School Beach - Single Flood's Ointment Medicine Tin, 2019

    Oil on Found Object

    1 x 1 in

  5. Winnipeg Beach - 'Best Quinine' Medicine Tin Diptych by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 2.

    Winnipeg Beach - 'Best Quinine' Medicine Tin Diptych, 2019

    Oil on Found Object

    2.25 x 3 x 0.25 in

  6. Japanese Garden with Bench, Economy Size - Single Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 5.

    Japanese Garden with Bench, Economy Size - Single Medicine Tin, 2018

    Oil on Found Object

    1.25 x 1.5 in

  7. Campbell River Tin 2 - Island Highway - Single Flood's Ointment Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 3.

    Campbell River Tin 2 - Island Highway - Single Flood's Ointment Medicine Tin, 2021

    Oil on Found Object

    1.25 x 1.5 in

  8. Village Church, Diptych in Enamel Pillbox by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 2.

    Village Church, Diptych in Enamel Pillbox, c. 2023

    Oil on Found Object

  9. Swiss Mountains and Canadian Field - Parke Davis Antacid - Double Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 8.

    Swiss Mountains and Canadian Field - Parke Davis Antacid - Double Medicine Tin, 2024

    Oil on Found Object, Relational Aesthetics/Interactive Art

    1.5 x 3 x 0.25 in

  10. Orange Highway Sunset - Single Spartan Aspirin Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 2.

    Orange Highway Sunset - Single Spartan Aspirin Medicine Tin, 2024

    Oil on Found Object

    3.5 x 2.5 x 0.25 in

  11. Winnipeg Beach, Sand Under Sky by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 3.

    Winnipeg Beach, Sand Under Sky, c. 2023

    Oil on Found Object

    1.25 x 1.5 in

  12. Birch Trees and Virga, Spartan Aspirin Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 1.

    Birch Trees and Virga, Spartan Aspirin Tin, 2023

    Oil on Found Object

    3.5 x 2.5 x 0.25 in

  13. Mountain Peak in Flood's Ointment - Single Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 3.

    Mountain Peak in Flood's Ointment - Single Medicine Tin, 2024

    Oil on Found Object

    1.25 x 1.5 in

  14. Sheep by Tree, Translucent Pill Box by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 4.

    Sheep by Tree, Translucent Pill Box, c. 2023

    Oil on Found Object

    1 x 1.75 in

  15. July 1st Fireworks By The Bay - Single Spartan Aspirin Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 2.

    July 1st Fireworks By The Bay - Single Spartan Aspirin Medicine Tin, 2023

    Oil on Found Object

    3.5 x 2.5 x 0.25 in

  16. Glacial Highway - Single Spartan Aspirin Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 1.

    Glacial Highway - Single Spartan Aspirin Medicine Tin, 2024

    Oil on Found Object

    3.5 x 2.5 x 0.25 in

  17. Field in Flood's Ointment - Single Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 2.

    Field in Flood's Ointment - Single Medicine Tin, 2023

    Oil on Found Object

    1.25 x 1.25 in

  18. Light Break and Evening Field - Diptych - Double Anesthesin Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 1.

    Light Break and Evening Field - Diptych - Double Anesthesin Medicine Tin, 2023

    Oil on Found Object, Relational Aesthetics/Interactive Art

    2.25 x 3 x 0.25 in

  19. Helps Waterfall 1 (Not for Sale) by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 1.

    Helps Waterfall 1 (Not for Sale), 2018

    Oil on Found Object

    1.25 x 1.5 in

  20. Lauenen Church House - Single Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 4.

    Lauenen Church House - Single Medicine Tin

    Oil on Found Object

    2 x 3 in

  21. Mountain Clouds - Single Soovain Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 2.

    Mountain Clouds - Single Soovain Medicine Tin, 2024

    Oil on Found Object

    2 x 3 in

  22. Presqu'ile Diptych - Double Huskoids Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 5.

    Presqu'ile Diptych - Double Huskoids Medicine Tin, c. 2024

    Oil on Found Object

    2.25 x 3 x 0.25 in

  23. Enge House - Single Flood's Ointment Medicine Tin by Shelley Vanderbyl, Image 3.

    Enge House - Single Flood's Ointment Medicine Tin, 2024

    Oil on Found Object

    1.25 x 1.5 in