Haida Now
to
Museum of Vancouver 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 3J9
Louis Collinson (1881-1970), Haida, Skidegate, "Shaman, Chief and Human figures," nd
yellow cedar wood, paint, abalone shell Photo: Rebecca Blissett
Guest curated by Haida Curator Kwiaahwah Jones in collaboration with Viviane Gosselin, Co-curator and Director of Collections & Exhibitions at MOV, this exhibition features an unparalleled collection of Haida art boasting more than 450 works created as early as 1890. Local Haida Artists will share their insights and knowledge about the art pieces, providing visitors with the opportunity to experience a powerful way to engage with the worldview and sensibility of the Haida people, while gaining greater appreciation for the role museums can play in the reconciliation movement.
The exhibition is organized into meaningful groupings of works that highlight the interconnection between art, language, land, spirituality, resilience, and life in the city. Haida Now elegantly displays over 450 works from the extensive Haida collection at MOV including woven baskets, intricate carvings, masks, headpieces, and jewellery. Large portraits of the Haida in Haida Gwaii and Vancouver are featured with compelling soundscapes, short films, and interactive displays to offer a vivid sense of the vibrancy of the culture.