150 Acts: Art, Activism, Impact
ENGLISH
Building on 40 years of creative collaborations with Indigenous artists, communities, and organizations, the Art Gallery of Guelph presents 150 Acts: Art, Activism, Impact, an exhibition that provides a platform for diverse Indigenous narratives that imagine new social futures. 150 Acts coincides with Canada’s sesquicentennial, an essential moment of national reflection and an opportunity to query the relationship of nationhood itself to Canada’s Indigeneity.
Throughout, the exhibition recognizes art practices as simultaneously personal, conceptual, cultural, political, and social acts – and as meaningful responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. From installation, film, new media, and performance to practices framed by traditional beadwork, textile, sculpture, drawing, and painting, the artworks explore both socio-cultural and physical terrain while mapping wholly new geographies through language, storytelling, and the land itself.
Compelled by the powerful historical and geographical dynamics embodied in our relationship to the lands upon which we live, work, and create, 150 Acts: Art, Activism, Impact provides a vital opportunity to re-narrate landscape through art practices that actively engage our collective histories and possible futures.
FRENCH
Fort de 40 ans de collaborations créatives avec des artistes, des communautés et des organisations autochtones, l’Art Gallery de Guelph présente 150 actes : art, activisme, impact. Cette exposition se veut une plateforme pour mettre en valeur divers récits autochtones qui imaginent de nouveaux avenirs sociaux. 150 actes coïncide avec le 150e anniversaire du Canada, une importante occasion de réflexion nationale et de questionnement sur le lien avec la nation dans le contexte autochtone du Canada.
Du début à la fin, l’exposition célèbre des pratiques artistiques qu’elle présente comme étant des actes simultanément personnels, culturels, politiques et sociaux, et des réponses pleines de sens aux appels à l’action de la Commission de vérité et réconciliation. Qu’il s’agisse d’une installation, d’un film, de nouveaux médias, d’une performance ou d’une pratique davantage axée sur le perlage, les textiles, la sculpture, le dessin ou la peinture traditionnels, les œuvres explorent le terrain socioculturel et physique tout en faisant ressortir de toutes nouvelles géographies à travers la langue, les récits et la terre.
Inspirée de la puissante dynamique historique et géographique qui s’exprime dans notre relation avec cette terre sur laquelle nous vivons, travaillons et créons, 150 actes offre une occasion vitale de raconter de nouveau le paysage par des pratiques artistiques qui font intervenir activement nos histoires collectives et nos avenirs possibles.
Image detail: Neal McLeod, kimosôminawak ohci kâ-kî-mâyahkamikahk / our grandfathers from 1885, 2017, acrylic on canvas (unstretched), 207 x 143 cm. Collection of the artist.
150 Acts: Art, Activism, Impact is made possible through the support of the Department of Canadian Heritage, Canada Council for the Arts, and Ontario Arts Council. The Art Gallery of Guelph is also grateful for the partnership and support of Partners in Art.
Artists
KC Adams
Pitseolak Ashoona
Mary Anne Barkhouse
Carl Beam
Christi Belcourt
Rebecca Belmore
Bonnie Devine
Etidlooie Etidlooie
Geoff Greene
Maureen Gruben
Alex Janvier
Janet Kigusiuq
Thomassie Kudluk
Myra Kukiiyaut
Cheryl L’Hirondelle & Camille Turner
Victoria Mamnguqsualuk
Kavavow Mannomee
Ken Maracle
Michael Massie
Neal McLeod
Norval Morrisseau
Shelley Niro
William Noah
Jessie Oonark
Susan Point
Annie Pootoogook
Kananginak Pootoogook
Nancy Pukingrnak Aupaluktuq
Victor Reece
Arthur Renwick
David Ruben Piqtoukun
Don Russell
Ruth Annaqtuusi Tulurialik
Marion Tuu’luq
Art Wilson (‘Wii Muk’wilixw)
Wayne Young
Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun
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