Remnants by Michael Connolly - Closing Jan. 4th 2026

Remnants explores the changing face of the landscape within Gros Morne National Park.

This project was Inspired by extreme flooding that dramatically altered the Lomond Valley in 2019. As a favourite location for salmon angling, I was intimately acquainted with the river and it’s many pools and riffles. The flood stripped away much of the riparian vegetation, moving boulders and washing away areas of beach until there was only limestone riverbed remaining. The river was unrecognizable.

In 2020 I spent a week making small oil sketches along the riverbank, capturing the devastation of the landscape. During that time an awareness dawned that the colour and light remained beautiful throughout the valley. The trees remained fragrant in the mornings. The salmon returned, unaware of the changes in their river. A more optimistic view of things emerged.

Beyond the Lomond Valley, other areas revealed their strength against the elements. Glacially carved mountains rise from the water, sand rises to create dunes over previously forested areas along the beach. Without hesitation, the sun rises over the resilient land anew each day.

These works consider the ways in which the landscape has evolved and continues to be altered by time and increasingly severe weather. Ultimately, the landscape adapts, the birds sing, and the salmon return.