What happens when an artist steps away from the pace of everyday life and enters a place designed for uninterrupted creativity?
That question lies at the heart of The Silence of Admiral, the latest episode of Backroad Stories. Set at an artist residency in Saskatchewan, the film follows international artist Xin Wang as she travels from Beijing, China, to the tiny prairie community of Admiral.
Created by master printmaker Gordan Novak, the residency offers artists something increasingly rare: time, space, and the freedom to immerse themselves in the creative process.
During her stay, Xin begins by working independently, developing drawings that eventually become the foundation for a collaborative silk screen printing process. Together, she and Gordan transform those original works into large-scale prints, combining Xin’s artistic vision with Gordan’s decades of technical expertise as a master printmaker.
But the film is about much more than printmaking.
As the days pass, the silence and isolation of the prairie challenge Xin in unexpected ways. Removed from the distractions of city life, she begins confronting self-doubt, creative uncertainty, and the pressure to always produce. Gradually, that same silence creates space for openness, collaboration, and a renewed relationship with her work.
The printmaking process becomes a metaphor for the residency itself. Every stage—from drawing and image preparation to exposing the screen, mixing colours, pulling the print, and adding the final details—reflects a collaboration built on trust, patience, and shared understanding.
Ultimately, The Silence of Admiral asks a question that reaches beyond art:
What becomes possible when we slow down long enough to truly listen?
By following Xin’s journey, the film offers a thoughtful exploration of creativity, collaboration, and the remarkable environment Gordan Novak has cultivated in one of Saskatchewan’s most unexpected places.
If these are the kinds of questions that resonate with you, I invite you to join our Patreon community. Together, we’re exploring stories that reveal how creativity, nature, and a sense of place can transform the way we experience ourselves and the world around us. Members receive early access to new films, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and reflections that continue the conversation long after the credits roll.
