Witnesses: Art and Canada’s Indian Residential Schools
September 6 to December 1, 2013 Presented at the UBC Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery
Curated by Scott Watson, Keith Wallace, Charlotte Townsend-Gault, Dana Claxton, Geoffrey Carr, Shelly Rosenblum, Tarah Hogue (Curatorial Intern).
Image credit:
Lisa Jackson
Savage (still), 2009
HD video, 6:00 minutes
Photo: Kris Krüg
Witnesses: Art and Canada’s Indian Residential Schools will feature artists who have produced work arising from the history of Indian Residential Schools in Canada and coincides with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada National Event that will take place in Vancouver from September 18 to 21, 2013. The exhibition will feature artists from BC and across Canada, and will be cross-generational to include those who directly experienced Indian Residential Schools as well as those who are witnesses to its residual impact. Public and educational programming will include guided tours, talks, film screenings, performances and online programs. An illustrated catalogue will be published that will serve to give the artwork and the issues it raises an ongoing legacy. The principle objective of this exhibition is to contribute to the education of the public about Indian Residential Schools, how this issue has become embedded in Canadian art history, and to demonstrate the strong social and cultural capacity of art.
The exhibition will include iconic historical works by artists such as Joane Cardinal-Schubert and Norval Morrisseau, more recent work by some of Canada’s most respected contemporary artists, and special commissions. Works will be sourced from across Canada and borrowed from artists, collectors and museums. Other artists who will be represented include: Carl Beam, Rebecca Belmore, Chris Bose, Cathy Busby, Beau Dick, Faye HeavyShield, Lisa Jackson, Alex Janvier, Jamasie Pitseolak, Skeena Reece and Tania Willard.
This project is made possible with the generous support of the Audain Foundation, the Vancouver Foundation, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Leon and Thea Koerner Foundation, the British Columbia Arts Council and our Belkin Curator’s Forum members. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the UBC Hampton Fund.
Opening events, Saturday, September 7, 2013
1-2 pm: Performance of Joan Cardinal-Schubert’s “The Lesson”
2-4 pm: Opening remarks and reception
Events with artists:
Sunday, September 8, 2013. 1:30-3 pm: Artists Talk: Jamesie Pitseolak and Tania Willard
Thursday, September 26. 12:30-2 pm: Performance: Peter Morin
Thursday, October 10. 12:30-2 pm: Artists Talk: Beau Dick
Thursday, October 31. 12:30-2 pm: Artists Talk: Cathy Busby
Sunday, December 1 (time TBA. see: www.belkin.ubc.ca): Performance: Peter Morin
Symposium:
Friday, November 15 (time TBA. see: www.belkin.ubc.ca) Traumatic Histories, Artistic Practice and Working From the Margins
Concert:
Friday, November 29 (time TBA. see www.belkin.ubc.ca) UBC Contemporary Players
