Indigenous arts and culture exhibitions open at Guelph Civic Museum

GUELPH, March 8, 2019: Guelph Museums celebrates the opening of two exhibitions — Konnón:kwe and Indianized — Friday, March 22 at the Civic Museum with free admission and a performance by Ansley Simpson.

Konnón:kwe, a Kanyen’kéha (Mohawk) word signifying “three or more women,” speaks to the power of collective agency by Indigenous women artists. Themes of wellness, community, and environmental justice weave historic artifacts and contemporary fine art into an exhibition that invites visitors to consider Indigenous futures in the local context. The exhibition features the works of artists Amanda Strong, Shelley Niro, Christi Belcourt, Nadya Kwandibens, Tenille Campbell and the Kika’ige Historical Society.

Konnón:kwe is co-curated by Kim Anderson, Chelsea Brant, Brittany Luby, and Cara Wehkamp, a “three or more” collective of Indigenous women.

Indianized is curated by artist Naomi Smith. Smith has embellished everyday objects using traditional Indigenous beadwork techniques and imagery. Her artworks reflect that our material culture is no longer about practical functionality; instead, logos and brands have become the symbols that define societal meaning and value. In this exhibition, Smith extends this phenomenon in unusual and visually intriguing ways, without losing sight of the time-honoured traditions of the Woodlands First Nations.

Both exhibitions are on display until May 19.

Ansley Simpson will perform as part of the Fourth Friday concert series. Simpson is a Toronto-based Anishinaabe singer-songwriter and inaugural winner of the BullsEye Media Emerging Artist award from ImagineNATIVE and Slaight Music. She is a natural performer, holding audiences spellbound with her haunting vocals and poetics.

Opening remarks are set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, followed by Simpson’s performance at 7 p.m.

Admission on Fourth Fridays is free from 5 to 9 p.m.

Guelph Civic Museum is located at 52 Norfolk Street.

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For more information:

Dawn Owen | Curator, Guelph Museums
Public Services, City of Guelph
T 519-835-1221 x 2774
E [email protected]

Posted by Dawn Owen on March 8, 2019

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