Guest talks and more
The gallery and curators hope to show the exhibition at other spaces after its inauguration at Concordia. They agree there’s a growing interest surrounding circumpolar art around the world and that Indigenous artists are meditating on the past, present and future in order to reclaim their histories and narratives.
“Institutions are changing,” says von Harringa. “They’re taking an interest in hearing other voices and bringing Indigenous artists into the gallery.”
To complement the exhibition, the gallery has developed a rich program of events. They include a tour of the show with the curators and artists, as well as performances by Iñupiaq artist Allison Akootchook Warden, Inuit poet Taqralik Partridge and Sami yoiker Ánde Somby, who is also an international legal scholar for Indigenous rights.
Nipivut, the local Inuit radio show on CKUT radio, is also participating, and class tours are currently being organized, including one in Arabic. The curators plan to bring in groups of Inuit from all over Montreal to see the show, as well as collaborate with local organizations to offer an Inuktitut tour of the exhibition.
Prouty expects visitors will walk away from the exhibition with a newfound appreciation for northern art. She has been studying Inuit art for many years and wants people to realize that their works are contemporary, exciting and cool.
“They’re just making art that is so strong now that it can’t be ignored anymore,” says Prouty.
Among All These Tundras runs from September 4 to October 27 at the Leonard and Bina Ellen Art Gallery.