I first met David in March or April of 1981, when I was a young professor at the University of Regina and one of the organizers of the annual Powwow. During the event, a young man tapped me on the shoulder and said he wanted to give me a sculpture. I was taken aback and asked what I had done to deserve such a gift. I suggested that perhaps we should give it away through a contest or raffle. David agreed and proposed an “ugly face contest,” something he said was done in the North, an old Inuit contest. We held it during the dinner hour, and eventually there was a winner.
After the Powwow ended, David asked if I had a couch or someplace he could sleep overnight. He was driving through Regina on his way to Toronto, having come all the way from Vancouver. I said he could stay, on the condition that he come to my class the next day and speak about Inuit art. He agreed. He drove me back to my apartment in the longest car I had ever seen, a gigantic Cadillac that he was immensely proud of.
Over the years, we stayed in touch and became good friends. I met his wife, Katherine, the love of his life. Our community will be deeply saddened by his passing. These photographs were taken a few years ago when we were both awarded the Governor General’s Arts Award. It felt like a fitting moment, he as an artist and I as a curator. I will miss him dearly.
In memory of David Ruben Piqtoukun (1950–2026).
This past Monday, August 19, 2024, our community lost a dear friend. A well-known dancer, Michael Laliberte, as he was known, traversed many provinces and states doing what he loved the most – following the powwow trail. I last saw him a few years ago at my community’s powwow on the Red Pheasant Cree Nation. This photo was taken in 1978 by Don Hall at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (now First Nations University of Canada). Michael stands at the far left. It was a time when we attended powwows together and a beginning of a world he would embrace. Rest in Peace my friend.
First ever conference that brought together the Indigenous art community as we know it today. It was held on Manitoulin Island in the fall of 1978. Our dear friend Alex Janvier (1935-2024) who passed away this week, was present, and he will be remembered for his impassioned speech before leaving. Folks in these photos include Walter Harris, Carl Beam, Alfred Youngman, Daphne Odjig, Guy Sioui, and me. There were many others present and in these photos as well.
Archie Moore (Kamilaroi and Bigambul artist) and Ellie Buttrose (curator) representing Australia at the 2024 Venice Biennale, when it opens this week. Great to have met you both in Sydney. And a great big "congratulations."
Posted @withregram • @thepowerplantto Arctic/Amazon: Networks of Global Indigeneity was awarded Exhibition of the Year Budget over $50,000 by the 2023 GOG Awards! ☀️❄️
Curated by Dr. Gerald McMaster, Nina Vincent, Noor Alé, and presented at The Power Plant in Fall 2022, Arctic/Amazon featured a constellation of new and past works by 17 artists that tackled issues of climate change, globalized Indigeneity, and contact zones in both the Arctic and Amazon during a time of crisis. Encompassing painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, video, and performance, the exhibition shed light on current geopolitical and environmental issues that continue to inform artistic practices in these two vastly different yet interconnected regions.
Learn more about 2023 GOG Awards winners at the link in bio🔗
Image: Arctic/Amazon: Networks of Global Indigeneity, The Power Plant, Toronto, 2022. With works by Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Uýra, and Sheroanawe Hakihiiwe. Photo: Henry Chan.
Sitting on the balcony tonight listening to Sir Paul. At the moment he’s singing “Something” and “Band on the Run.” Here’s a few photos of the crowds heading into the stadium earlier. I was later told the Beatles came here in 1963, one year before as a kid I saw them on Ed Sullivan. Crowd is mainly folks born in the 1940s, 1950s and 60s. Instead of going to the concert I went to an exhibition opening of Imants Tillers.
Posted @withregram • @wapatah.ocadu Next week, the Power Institue at University of Sydney will be presenting a conversation between four amazing scholars and artists.
🔗 Link to register in bio.
This is the third event in our 2023 series, Kanawapatahmowin: Indigenous Visual Knowledge, convened by Gerald McMaster and presented in collaboration with the Wapatah Centre for Indigenous Visual Knowledge.
@mcmaster.gerald
Dr. McMaster is the Power Institute’s inaugural Visiting Professor in First Nations Art, thanks to support from the Terra Foundation for American Art.
Big thanks to @sca_sydney for hosting!
@sca_sydney@the_power_institute
Posted @withregram • @uaacaauc Congratulations to the recipients at last night’s Opening & Award Ceremony *\0/*
Lifetime achievement Award: Gerald McMaster @mcmaster.gerald
Recognition Award: Ersy Countgouris
Award for the advancement of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility: Anthea Black @anthea.black
Book Prize: Stephanie Springay @radicalcamping
#uaac2023
