Concrete, steel, and beeswax are the essential elements used by Maple Ridge native Danielle Swift to create her figurative sculptures.

Swift's work will be at the Maple Ridge Art Gallery from Oct. 20 to Nov. 17 in an exhibit and video about her work entitled Broken Narrative, which refers to the storytelling component exhibited in Swift's work, as suggested by the regular appearance of harpies and other semi-mythical beings.

Any attempt to strand together the lines of story, myth, and messaging are ultimately frustrated as Swift shifts away from a clear summation of her work, either as individual pieces or in ensemble form.

"I really don't see this body of work as its own entity or as a completion of an idea. I really see it more as an extension of my past work and part of the evolution for future work," said Swift.

Danielle Swift was raised in Maple Ridge but now spends much of her time making her art in her studio in Vancouver.

She is a graduate of the University of the Fraser Valley Fine Art program and teaches art to children part-time at The ACT.

Also on view in the gallery are mixed media paintings by Ashley Paquette.

Paquette's work was selected for its thematic affinities with Swift's work, and its inclusion in the show often works to extend the ethereal vistas offered by Swift's sculptures.

The short video about Swift's work was made by Lisa G. Neilsen profiling the artist working in her Vancouver studio.

The BC Arts Council provided a capacity and sustainability grant to allow for the production of the short video on Swift's work.

It will be on view during the exhibition, and will also be accessible from The ACT's website, www. theactmapleridge.org, shortly before the exhibition opens.

Swift and Paquette will be at the opening reception of Broken Narrative on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The exhibition will run from Oct. 20 to Nov. 17 at the Maple Ridge Art Gallery.

The Maple Ridge Art Gallery is operated by the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Arts Council, a not-for-profit, society and is located inside The ACT building.

The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and selected evenings and is open to the public free of charge.

The gallery, at 11944 Haney Pl., will be closed on Nov. 10 for the Remembrance Day weekend.