10 Ottawa-based Indigenous artists respond to Canada 150 as part of the National Arts Centre’s Canada Scene.

WHEN: Saturday, June 17, 2017 4 – 10 pm
WHERE: Central Art Garage, 66 B LeBreton St. N (rear garage), Ottawa, ON, K1R 7H4

4 pm Panel Discussion (Barry Ace, Howard Adler, Rosalie Favell, Meryl McMaster, Ron Noganosh, Frank Shebageget, & Leo Yerxa)
6 pm Sneak Peek & Food (available for purchase from The Belmont)
7-10 pm Opening
9 pm Screening (Howard Adler, Co-director of Asinabka Film and Media Festival)

In 2014 I travelled with some of the Collective to Brooklyn, New York for a show at Five Myles Gallery. I had worked with Inuk artist Barry Pottle to design a poster for the show whose theme was about “surveillance.” Today 007 is staying close to home and opening at Central Art Garage, a small but mighty gallery located in Chinatown.

Each location the artist list changes to include Indigenous artists practicing in that particular city.  And at each show new artists are given the role of “special agent.” This year the role goes to Barry Pottle, Joi T. Arcand and Meryl McMaster. The other artists featured:

• Ariel Smith
• Barry Ace
• Frank Shebageget
• Leo Yerxa
• Michael Belmore
• Ron Noganosh
• Rosalie Favell

The show is a response to Canada 150, Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations that are taking over the city of Ottawa! It’s Complicated is about looking at the complexities of the ‘celebration.’

To Indigenous peoples of this land, from coast to coast to coast, 150 years represents a very minuscule passage of time, especially in terms of the longstanding presence and occupation of homeland territories. Yet this seemingly fleeting moment in time is monumental in its impact on Indigenous communities, culture, language, identity, rights, water, and land.

This exhibition by 10 Indigenous artists working in diverse artistic practices offers an alternative perspective to the widely propagated Canada 150 celebrations by revealing timely and poignant aspects of the convoluted historical and contemporary relationship between Canada and Indigenous peoples. If there is any room for celebration in 2017 from an Indigenous perspective, it is a celebration of survivance, tenacity, and perseverance. It’s a complicated celebration. (read more…)

4 clients (Barry Ace, Barry Pottle, Michael Belmore & Rosalie Favell) are in this show along with many friends and local artists that I have so much respect for. Today is going to be a great Saturday!

Come On Out!