BRANTFORD – The Woodland Cultural Centre (WCC), a leader in the field of First Nations museum exhibitions, artistic endeavors, research facilities and cultural programming, presented the 42nd Annual First Nations Art exhibition curated by Gyeho Thomas and Carley Gallant on May 27, 2017.
Established in 1975, First Nations Art (FNA) is one of the longest running annual exhibits that provide a space for established and emerging indigenous artists to exhibit and sell their work in a gallery setting. The exhibition runs May 27 through July 28, 2017 at the WCC and will bring together artists from across Turtle Island.
Quinn Smallboy, from Moose Factory, Ont., has been chosen as this year’s Featured Artist. His solo exhibition Rivers of Thought will explore “common symbols of indigenous cultures and practices” as he explains, investigating indigenous art with Western ideologies.
More than 120 works were submitted to this year’s FNA making the jury process one of the largest yet. The WCC would like to thank all the artists who submitted their works to FNA 2017. Without the support of local artists and communities, the centre could not continue the tradition of First Nations Art.
Six Nations Artist Semiah Smith constructed a 3D portrait of Sitting Bull and submitted it to the showing and it sold before the night was over. Smith recently completed the one-year Visual and Creative Arts program at Sheridan College. The 3D portrait was one of her assignments from the program.
“I chose to do Sitting Bull because he has a very recognizable face,” said Smith. “I also know he has done a lot of great things and I really respect him. I’m hoping that I can create a short series of 3D portraits of people with similar importance as Sitting Bull.”
FNA 2017 will showcase the following artists:
Montana Adams, Thomas H. Anderson, Jocelyn Antone, Monique Aura, Michael Barber, Alex Jacobs-Blum, Dakota Brant, Janice Brant, Jennifer E. Brant, Catherine Dellaire, Tim Doctor, John Dodsworth, Deron Ahsén:nase Douglas, Elizabeth Doxtater, Amanda Marie Flynn, Lorrie Gallant, Yvonne Garbutt, Shel General, Kelly Green, Jay Havens, Char Hemlock, Doug Henhawk, Anthony (TJ) Henhawk, Barbara Helen Hill, Ronnie Hill, Summer Hill, Ted Hoffie, Mary Jacobs, Samantha Jacobs, Clayton King, Nancy “Chief Lady Bird” King, Paul Kohoko, Lindsay Lickers, Martin A. Loft Hill, Patrick Martin, Mark Neal, Holly Pichette, Karalyn Reuben, Judi Henhawk Sault, Semiah Smith, Keitha Keeshig-Tobias, Nelson White, Clayton Windatt and Elliott Doxtater-Wynn.
The Woodland Cultural Centre gratefully acknowledges the continued support from Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council for making First Nations Art possible.
The Opening Reception was held on May 27 at the WCC. Where special musical guest Lacey Hill played and refreshments were served by Family Traditions Catering.
For more information, call 519.759.2650 or visit www.woodlandculturalcentre.ca.
