Opening | BACA 2024 - Creation Stories: Turtle Island

Thursday, May 16, 2024: 5:30 pm to 8 pm

Curators: Lori Beavis, Emma Hassencal-Perley, Jake Kimble, Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé

The curators for the 7th edition of BACA came together across Nations and territories to create a series of exhibitions with works by more than 60 artists. Each of the seven exhibition sites for the overarching one of Creation Stories. At La Guilde, our thematic is Turtle Island , with the participation of seven artists: Joanna Katrena Cooper, Shoshannah Greene, Shelley Niro, Jobena Petonoquot, Percy Sacobie, Skawennati et Maura Tamez.

The artists featured in Turtle Island use beadwork, painting, video and sculpture to expand on the Anishinabeg Creation Story and the beginnings of life on Earth. They breathe new life into history, exploring themes of origin and renewal. Sky Woman, the turtle, and water serve as potent symbols of vitality and connection to the natural world.

The opening will also feature music by musical artist Atamone, with whom we are once again delighted to collaborate. Looking Forward to seeing you there!

The Biennale d’art contemporain autochtone (BACA) would like to thank the Canada Council for the Arts, the Quebec government (Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Fonds d’investissement pour le rayonnement de la Métropole, Secrétariat des affaires Autochtones), the Conseil des arts de Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, its presentation partners and its media partners.

Work: Skawennati, Renewal, 2017.