Spring 2024 Exhibitions at Orillia Museum of Art & History

Stacey Tyrell, Cait, 12yrs. and Alyson, 12yrs. (2011), photograph, 30″ x 40″

Stacey Tyrell
Backra Bluid

May 18 – September 14, 2024
Upper Gallery

“My current work predominantly deals with themes of identity, race and heritage as it relates to preconceived notions of Euro-centric beauty and heritage within postcolonial societies. The title of the series, Backra Bluid, draws from words of both West Indian and Scottish origins. The term ‘Backra’ is an archaic Caribbean slang of West African origin meaning white master or white person and ‘Bluid’ is the Scottish word for the blood of men or animals as well as kin.

“Backra Bluid is an attempt to interpret and explore distant relatives from both the past and present that I know exist. The images are also a reflection on my own perceptions and preconceptions of ‘Whiteness’ in particular as it relates to white Anglo-Saxon people. I feel there is a dualism that is inherent in the constructs of ‘Whiteness’ and ‘Blackness’ in Western societies. It leaves little room for the reality that the majority of people in post-colonial societies are generally hybrids of its past and current inhabitants. By simply changing my skin color and making very subtle tweaks to my own features I wish to show that if someone were to take a closer look at my face they would see that it might not be that much different from their own.” – Stacey Tyrell

About the Artist

Stacey Tyrell (b.1978) is a photo-based conceptual artist. She was born and raised in Toronto, ON to parents of Nevisian heritage. She attended OCAD University from 1997-2001, where she Majored in Photography. Her work explores the interplay of race, heritage, immigration, and identity as it pertains to the Caribbean Diaspora.

Her images have appeared in shows at the Power Plant, Toronto, ON; the Scottish National Gallery of Fine Art, Edinburgh, Scotland; The Red Line Museum, Colorado USA, and the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON. Her work is part of the Royal Bank of Canada Fine Art Collection and is featured in publications including Canadian Art, Prefix Photo, The Focal Press Companion to the Constructed Image, LensCulture and See Me Here: A Survey of Contemporary Self-Portraits from the Caribbean. She is represented by General Hardware Contemporary in Toronto ON. An iteration of this exhibition was recently on display at SPAO Gallery Photographic Arts Centre, Ottawa, ON.

Tatiana Chilova, Clad in Glass, oil on canvas, 24″ x 18″

Beyond the Surface
International Women’s Day Art Show

April 27 – July 20, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday April 27, from 1-3pm (remarks at 1:30)
Mulcahy Family Gallery

Since its inception in Orillia in 1997, The International Women’s Day Art Show has inspired hundreds of artists to participate in dynamic exhibitions exploring a wide range of media and themes. In celebration of International Women’s Day (March 8), the show’s main goal is to encourage women to express themselves artistically in a themed group exhibit, which is not juried and therefore inclusive of all abilities, experiences and orientations.

This year, over 130 artists have embraced the challenge of interpreting the theme Beyond The Surface through mediums such as drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, mixed media, fibre arts and film.

Kyle Thornley, Stories Converge, stainless steel, 11′x 5′

Crossroads, Connections and Intersections
An installation of nine works of art across seven publicly accessible sites

Ongoing
Various locations in Orillia

Located across the City of Orillia at road/trail intersections along Orillia’s active transportation network, these works of art invite residents and visitors to venture out into different neighbourhoods to experience not only the art and the stories they have to offer, but also unique restaurants, accommodations, shops and activities.

The collection includes the following artists, works and locations:

Kyle Thornley, Stories Converge – Fittons Road Trail Intersection

Camille Rajotte, Endorphin – Orillia Recreation Centre

Stephen Cruise, Hotel Echo Sierra – West Orillia Sports Complex, Stormwater Pond

Monica Wickeler, Sugar Maple Deer – James Street Trail Intersection

Rachel Babineau, Wild Honey – Atherley Road Trail Intersection

Nate Nettleton, Meandering Rainbow – Wilson Point Road Trail Intersection

Soon Cho, Biindigen/Welcome Mural – Water Filtration Plant, facing Lake Couchiching. *Only accessible by water

Plan your tour, access the public art map.

For information/Media Contact:
Tanya Cunnington Arts Programming Coordinator
705 326–2159 x109 | artscoordinator@orilliamuseum.org

Orillia Museum of Art & History
30 Peter Street South
Orillia, ON L3V 5A9
orilliamuseum.org
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OMAH has been the hub of art, culture, and heritage in the heart of Orillia’s Arts District for over twenty-five years. Located in downtown Orillia, the clocktower of the Sir Samuel Steele Memorial Building is a beacon for the museum. OMAH’s mission is to provide inclusive space to engage community, inspire creativity and celebrate culture, by exploring art and history.

The Orillia Museum of Art & History respectfully acknowledges our presence on the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg which includes the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Pottawatomi nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. We respect and observe the long and enduring presence of Indigenous Peoples – First Nations, Metis and Inuit – on this land. Their teachings and stewardship, culture and way of life have shaped our City’s unique identity.

Museum hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am to 4 pm| Suggested Admission is $5

The museum is fully accessible.

Acknowledgements

The Orillia Museum of Art & History gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the City of Orillia, and our community supporters and contributors.