Library to Host Indigenous Art Exhibition

Post Date:
Sep 16, 2022

An exhibition of Indigenous Art will be hosted in Queen’s University Library during the week of September 26, 2022 in honour of Truth and Reconciliation. The exhibition is a student-run event and will feature several artworks from local Indigenous artists utilizing a broad selection of mediums. This exciting experience will officially open on Monday September 26 and run until the evening of Thursday September 29. The exhibition will be held in the in the Alan G. Green Fireplace Reading Room, located on the second floor of Joseph S. Stauffer Library.

The exhibition will feature artworks from local Indigenous artists. Trevor Brandt is a carver of traditional materials and member of the Wolf Clan Family of the Mohawk Nation of Tyendinaga. Randy Cadue is an indigenous painter with a new take on traditional portrait. Jaylene Cardinal is Cree from Saddle Lake First Nations, a painter and mixed materials artist who will also be leading a paint night at Queen’s on Sept. 29 at 6:30 pm. Check the Queen’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives website for paint night registration information. Rebeca Maracle is a Mohawk Feathersmith from Tyendinaga. Amanda Earle, a First Nations artist who is Shyan and Earachaw hails from western Canada and will present acrylic paintings. Abenaki Wliwini (M. Granberg) is a proud two spirited artist presenting emotionally complex paintings. Roughly 50 artworks will be on display along with contact information for all contributing artists. Patrons are encouraged to contact artists directly for inquiries on purchasing displayed pieces, commission inquiries, and future exhibitions.

When asked about the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, Trevor said “This day is about learning from the past and making positive steps towards the future.”

Abenaki describes September 30th as “a day to remember what Canada did to its most vulnerable people and the importance of Remembering all those who perished and survived genocide, and forging a new path forward with respect, accountability, and reconciliation.”

Amanda describes Truth and Reconciliation as “an important step of passing on past lessons to future generations.”

The exhibition is being coordinated by Candice Martin, the Well-Being Circle Director for the Queen’s Native Student Association. Candice is a second-year student at Queen’s School of Medicine and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Biology from Laurentian University. They are Oji-Cree from Northern Ontario from Hornepayne First Nation, enfranchised into Fort Albany First Nations, and an ex-military medic in CANSOFCOM.

Speaking about the exhibition, Candice explains: “I hope this Exhibit can help bring communities together and appreciate some of the wonderful culture our local indigenous community has to offer. This type of event is especially important to deal with the truth and get to reconciliation from Canada’s past, which will also be displayed in the library this September. The library staff were essential to making this event a success. I hope everyone enjoys the exhibition.”

“We’re honored to have been invited to host this event in one of the library’s most iconic and sought-after spaces,” said Mark Asberg, Vice Provost and University Librarian.  “We hope that animating library space with this rich and vibrant exhibition inspires curiosity and conversation and creates new opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and the local community to engage with Indigenous art and artists.”

The exhibition will be open from 8 am to 11 pm each day of its duration. Queen’s, Kingston, and surrounding area as well as Indigenous Communities are all are welcome to attend. The Fireplace Reading Room can be found at the south end of Stauffer’s second floor and there will be ample signage directing patrons toward the event. The terrace at Stauffer will remain open throughout the duration of this event with its normal hours of operation.

 

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