Konnón:kwe and Indianized now open at Guelph Civic Museum

March 9, 2019 – May 19, 2019
Opening reception: Friday, March 22, 2019, 6:30 p.m. Performance by Ansley Simpson at 7 p.m.

Konnón:kwe, a Kanyen’kéha (Mohawk) word signifying “three or more women,” speaks to the power of collective agency by Indigenous women artists. Themes of wellness, community, and environmental justice weave historic artifacts and contemporary fine art into an exhibition that invites visitors to consider Indigenous futures in the local context. Together the works of artists including Amanda Strong, Shelley Niro, Christi Belcourt, Nadya Kwandibens, Tenille Campbell and the Kika’ige Historical Society evoke a conversation that begins among them and extends outwards to museum visitors.

Konnón:kwe is co-curated by Kim Anderson, Chelsea Brant, Brittany Luby, and Cara Wehkamp, a “three or more” collective of Indigenous women.

Indianized is curated by artist Naomi Smith. Smith has embellished everyday objects using traditional Indigenous beadwork techniques and imagery. Her artworks reflect that our material culture is no longer about practical functionality; instead, logos and brands have become the symbols that define societal meaning and value. In this exhibition, Smith extends this phenomenon in unusual and visually intriguing ways, without losing sight of the time-honoured traditions of the Woodlands First Nations.