Winnipeg Art Gallery helps preserve Indigenous culture, stories through works of art | 24CA News
Making the unrealistic a actuality – that’s what Dene interdisciplinary artist Casey Koyczan does in his work.
The artist from Yellowknife, N.W.T., makes use of quite a few mediums in his work, primarily shifting to digital manufacturing because the pandemic started.
“One of these bodies of work I’m creating is these surreal 3D animated walk cycles that are inspired by Indigenous arts and crafts materials – such as beading, porcupine quills, moose and caribou hair tufting and antlers – and sort of reimagining them as spirits of creatures within a digital environment,” Koyczan advised Global News.
Koyczan, a University of Manitoba Fine Arts masters graduate, created a digital tour of the Winnipeg Art Gallery’s Qaumajuq exhibit of Inuit artwork.
Work by Casey Koyczan.
Courtesy / Casey Koyczan
Casey Koyczan stands close to one among his digital items.
Courtesy / Casey Koyczan
He says the gallery is on the forefront of preserving Inuit, First Nations and Metis artwork in addition to highlighting Indigenous artists of in the present day – one thing he says is essential for uplifting artists of in the present day and the long run.
“As Indigenous artists, it’s essential that in order to know who we are and where we’re going that we know where we come from,” Koyczan stated.
“The preservation of our culture, whether it be artworks or tradition or even beliefs, is really important to hold onto. I’m an artist that dabbles so much in futurism and surrealism with an Indigenous angle by way of where I come from. But that is rooted in a place of respect and history and where I come from and where my people come from.”
“I wouldn’t be able to imagine our culture and our people in the future if there wasn’t any sort of root in the past.”
That’s one thing Marie-Anne Redhead is striving to do because the assistant curator of Indigenous artwork for the WAG.
“There’s always way more work to be done, I think that we are making important steps as well,” Redhead advised Global News.
“We recently deaccessioned and sold the Warhol (art) to make more room for First Nations art. We have a lot of Inuit art, but not a lot of First Nations art, so that should be prioritized because we are on Treaty One land.”
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 83rd name to motion referred to as upon the Canada Council for the Arts to determine and fund a method for Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists to undertake initiatives and produce work that contributes to the method of reconciliation. In 2015, the council established the {Re}conciliation Initiative, which aimed to advertise inventive collaborations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists.
Redhead says there’s nonetheless extra work to be accomplished, and she or he hopes that individuals mirror on and keep in mind Indigenous historical past, cultures and tales that may be advised and preserved by way of artwork.
“We want people to honour the long traditions that have made it here, and not just a superficial display of Indigenous culture, but just a deep understanding and appreciation and wanting to be in good relation with us a to look forward to a future where we are in good relation,” Redhead stated.
“I also want people to reflect on the land they’re on, know the territories where you live, and know the stories of the people who are still here.”
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
