Vicki M. is Vancouver’s dominant purveyor of lowbrow pop art, promoting established and upcoming artists as the curator at the Brickyard in Gastown. This Vancouver drinking establishment is a live music venue that features art exhibits with traditional gallery-style opening nights that combine art, music, and performance.
     Vicki M. began dabbling with promotional work in the early 1980s, taking photos and designing gig posters for various local bands. At the same time her pursuit of art, specifically painting, resulted in her inclusion in several group show at 12 Midnite and Anya Slade’s renowned SMASH GALLERY. By 1991 she was a full-time student at the Emily Carr Insititue of Art and Design, graduating in 1995 with a degree in Fine Art. Discovering that there were no places to show her work and the work of similar artists, Ms. M. staged exhibits in afterhours clubs and as a result became involved with the now defunct FLUX STUDIOS.
     Disillusioned with the lack of Pop Art shown in local galleries, Ms. M. co-curated shows with 12 Midnite to bring together members of Vancouver’s Pop Art community. 12 Midnite’s connections led to an opening night at the Brickyard called LOWBROW ’97. This exhibit featured local pop artists I Braineater, 12 Midnite, Anya

Slade, Ken Gerberick, Mark Atomos Pilon, ManWoman, and Dave Ostrem. In May 1997, Vicki M. took on the permanent position of curator at the Brickyard.
     Fast forward to February 1998, and the show at the Brickyard puts the spotlight on the PopTarts, a 3-chick-posse who exhibit ALL GIRL ART staged as theme shows with music and costume. Past shows include “Painted Ladies” (pinups and movie stars), “Villainess” (historical baddies and serial killers), and “Smells Like Female” (iconic female musicians).
     Over the past 16 years Vicki M.’s involvement in antique and vintage fashion shows as well as her own collection and extensive knowledge of vintage clothing have been a major influence in her work. Her love of the image and irony of stereotypical female images within a pop culture context frequently shows up in her work, particularily those familiar pop art icons: pointy bras and high heels.
     With works included in twelve different shows in 1998, as well as promoting fourteen gallery showswith over 50 artists each year, she barely has time to live up to being one of Loop Magazine’s “Most Dangerous People” of 1999. In the winter of 2000 she was also a juror for the Province’s annual list of “Up and Comers,” in the Visual Art category, of course. This is one gal to keep an eye on.