An effort to develop and showcase Indigenous art is kicking off with a brand new exhibition at Plaskett Gallery this month.
The Mixed Reviews exhibition, featuring work by artists Carrielynn Victor and Bracken Hanuse Corlett, runs at the Plaskett from Jan. 4 to 30 in connection with the Skookum Indigenous Arts Program. It’s part of a new partnership between the Massey Theatre Society and Savage Society (see related story).
Victor (Xémontélót) has created her work throughout the past two years, focusing on using traditional formal elements of Coast Salish design, paired with colours and shapes that work together to give a three-dimensional geometric look. She shares stories of her own as well as stories that provide snapshops of Sto:lo history and world views.
Victor is based in Cheam, her father’s family’s ancestral village on the banks of the Lower Fraser River, in the shadow of Mt. Cheam.
Corlett is an interdisciplinary artist whose work is rooted in sacred for and story from his Indigenous lineage – Wuikinuxv, Klahoose, Tla’amin and Kwakwaka’wakw. In the past year he has worked on screenplays, graphic design for a video game, video design for theatre, illustration for animation, large-scale paintings and murals, and live audiovisual performance.
“Hanuse Corlett is interested in being uncomfortable – in trying a new medium or revisiting one that may have been abandoned,” says a press release.
An opening reception is set for Thursday, Jan. 4 from 5 to 9 p.m., featuring spoken word artists Ronnie Dean Harris and Valeen Jules.
The gallery at Massey Theatre, 735 Eighth Ave. is open 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, during performances at Massey Theatre and by appointment (call 604-517-5900). For more information, see www.masseytheatre.com.
