Indigenous artworks commissioned for Concordia’s Hall Building terrace

Two newly commissioned Indigenous artworks will soon feature prominently at the revitalized Henry F. Hall Terrace on Concordia’s downtown campus. The works, co-commissioned by the Indigenous Directions Leadership Council (IDLC) and Concordia’s Public Art office, include a bronze medallion and a collaborative mural.

Both projects will be created by Indigenous artists with connections to Concordia.

A first at Concordia

Manon Tremblay, senior director of Indigenous Directions, says the commissions reflect key priorities outlined in Concordia’s Indigenous Directions Action Plan — particularly increasing the visibility of Indigenous peoples and cultures on campus.

“This is a first at Concordia,” she says. “Over the years, there have been many Indigenous art exhibitions, but these have been temporary. The terrace and the artworks will become a highly visible, lasting presence on the downtown campus.”

“Showcasing Indigenous art and artists matters, especially within the broader framework of reconciliation and decolonization. We want Indigenous students, faculty and staff to see themselves represented,” she adds.

Two Indigenous MFA-Studio Arts students were invited by the IDLC to submit proposals for the medallion design: Jobena Petonoquot (Algonquin, Kitigan Zibi), BFA 2012, and Jason Sikoak (Inuk, Kikiak/Rigolet), BFA 2023. Petonoquot creates narrative works that take a critical and sensitive look at Canada’s colonial history, while highlighting the beauty of her culture and love of the land. Inspired by Elders' stories, Sikoak explores themes of spirituality, colonialism, environment, and contemporary Inuit life.

A jury comprised of IDLC members will select the final medallion design, which will be produced and embedded in the terrace pavers by a bronze specialist.

“The bronze medallion will become the first artwork created by a contemporary Indigenous artist to enter Concordia’s permanent collection,” says Sandra Margolian, public art lead at Concordia. “It’s also the first time that current Concordia students have been commissioned to contribute to the university’s collection.”

New mural program launched

Hannah Claus, a Kanien’kehá:ka and English visual artist, associate professor of Studio Arts and co-director of Concordia’s Indigenous Futures Research Centre, and Kaia’tanó:ron Dumoulin Bush, an Onkwehón:we/French-Canadian illustrator and multidisciplinary artist, will co-create a mural for the new outdoor space.

Having previously worked together on projects involving daphne, an Indigenous-led artist-run centre in Montreal, Claus and Bush chose to collaborate and submit one proposal as a team.

“When we realized we’d both been asked to develop proposals for the new mural, we talked and decided — in the spirit of Haudenosaunee solidarity and our friendship — to propose working as a team to make a collaborative artwork instead of competing,” Claus and Bush say.

Tremblay echoes this idea, noting that their decision to work together “speaks to the Indigenous community spirit.”

The mural commission is part of a newly launched program led by the Public Art office in partnership with MU, a Montreal-based organization that creates murals in public spaces. Every five years, funds permitting, the Indigenous Directions Leadership Council will select and invite Indigenous artists to submit proposals to create a new mural for the terrace. MU will hire and mentor Indigenous art students to participate in the painting process.

These design elements create a space that is not only visually striking but also inclusive and reflective of Indigenous presence on campus.

Diversifying the public art collection

Beyond these collaborations, the new commissions tie into the university’s public art strategy to diversify its collection.

“It’s our aim to expand the collection equitably and inclusively and recognize the vital artistic and cultural contributions these acquisitions will bring to the collection’s scope,” Margolian says.

In addition to the artworks, the terrace will incorporate Indigenous design elements throughout the space, including regional Indigenous plants and pavers that form a river-like pathway, with seating alongside. At both the Mackay and Bishop entrances, the words for “hello” and “welcome” will appear in every Indigenous language connected to the land now known as Quebec.

Tremblay emphasizes that the goal is to provide a welcoming, inclusive and accessible environment that reflects the natural world, reinforcing a sense of belonging.

The project will be officially unveiled on September 30, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Find out more about Concordia’s public art program.