June 26, 2014 / 7 – 10 p.m.
Gallery 1313
Between Tradition and Concrete: Indigenizing Resistance through Art is the result of the First Nation, Métis and Inuit Secondary School Pilot Project offered by the TDSB Aboriginal Education Centre and funded by the Ministry of Education. The aim of this project is to create a holistic framework that supports and encourages Aboriginal students and their culture. The amount of people who checked out the exhibition showed that the student’s expression of their culture is one way to take the mutual understanding a step further. Ed Sackaney mentioned this during his traditional opening ceremony at the beginning of the reception, honoring the work of the students. Donna Quan, the Director of Education from the Toronto District School Board also stated that much has been done but there was much more to do.
Ed Sackaney
Debra Cormier from the Ministry of Education & Donna Quan, Director of TDSB
Louise Azzarello, the centrally assigned teacher, gave the students the opportunity to work with seven guest artists throughout the program. The experience to work with these artists visibly influenced the works of the students. Performance artist Vanessa Dion Fletcher encouraged the students to write pieces about an object that has a meaning to them. Working from his writing, Hawk Mason created a multi-media piece, entitled Echoes of Genocide. Deja Shapiro-Innis created a film Flower and wrote a performance piece I am who I am, which she presented at the opening reception.
Hawk Mason
Deja Shapiro-Innis
Discussions during classes about representation and stereotypes and the task to photograph a common object and telling a different story about it inspired Zhaawani Mack to create his piece Scarf. Josh Bluebird reflects on the concepts of Identity, on stereotypes and on the Resistance in his piece multi-media piece The Majestic.
Josh Bluebird
Dakota Splude
The reception proved that these workshops not only inspired the students in their work but it had also let a friendship grow between them and the guest artists. It also showed the young people that, although they could hardly imagine to exhibit at an art gallery, their art works were highly honored and seen as a strong contribution to their cultural heritage. It was inspiring to all who attended.
Text and photo: Melina Bigler
*Exhibition information: June 26 – July 6, 2014, Gallery 1313, 1313 Queen Street West, Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed – Sun: 1 – 6 p.m.