Documenting Border Barriers is a growing compendium of over 25 portraits of anti-migration border walls. It is a research-based series of etching-and-relief prints that are displayed as an installation.
As the number of people on the move has risen in recent years, so has the building of physical barriers. Wall-building, and tightening of immigration regulations have escalated on the borders of Europe, on the USA-Mexico border, in the Middle East, and on numerous borders worldwide. People fleeing war and economic and environmental crises are met with fences, walls and violence. Since 2000, the number of physical border barriers in the world has risen from about 15 to more than 80.
The artwork that comprises Documenting Border Barriers is created by Pamela Dodds in the drypoint etching medium, the technique of scratching the image into the plate, then inking, wiping and printing onto paper. Through this direct, methodical method, razor wire, cement and steel are portrayed with visceral immediacy. To emphasize the severity of the barrier architecture on the land, representations of specific surroundings are omitted. Instead, an impression of landscape and nature is created with an under-printing of wood grain patterns printed from boards.
Each print in the series is accompanied by a digitally printed text print of the same dimension, on the same grey paper, providing details like height, length, surveillance systems, and people affected. The imagery and texts are derived from online research, news reports, testimonials, and engagement with researchers, journalists and activists in the field.
This exhibit will be open from Saturday, November 7, 2026 to Wednesday, February 17, 2027.
Getting to the Gallery
Navigation and parking information
This exhibit is located in the Grebel Gallery at the Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement (The Centre). Located on the fourth floor of Conrad Grebel University College (Grebel), the Centre is accessible by elevator and stairwell.
Parking fees from $3/hour to $10/day apply to the Grebel lot from Monday to Friday between 7:30 am until 7:30 pm. Parking can be purchased through the Honk Mobile app (Zone 9072) or through the Honk QR code (no app needed). The QR code is available at Conrad Grebel University College in the main entrance vestibule or at the reception desk. Parking can also be purchased with cash or credit at Grebel's reception desk.
Planning your visit
The Grebel Gallery is open for viewing during Grebel Building Hours. Please note that all University of Waterloo offices, including the Grebel Gallery, will be closed for holidays from December 24, 2026 to January 3, 2027, and on February 15, 2027.
Staff are generally available at the Centre's front desk from Monday to Friday, between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. For a guided tour or group booking, please contact the Centre's Coordinator.
Grebel Gallery Hours
Monday - Friday: 8 am - 10 pm
Saturday: 1 pm - 5 pm
Sunday - Closed