Alanna Edwards & Tamara Bell: Tricksters Laugh
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Deer Lake Gallery 6584 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 3T7
Alanna Edwards & Tamara Bell's Tricksters Laugh explores iconography of natural and constructed forms attached to traditional Indigenous practices. This duo-exhibition explores the artists’ navigation of cultural identity and representation as both playful and burdening concepts.
Alanna Edwards is a multi-disciplinary visual artist of Mi’kmaq and settler descent currently practicing on unceded Coast Salish territory (Vancouver) home to the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and sel̓íl̓witulh nations. Edwards’ work stems from her experiences growing up navigating different identities, culminating in a range of multimedia works utilizing everything from video technology to harvested flora and fauna. As a multi-disciplinary artist, Edwards primarily works with found object assemblage, exploring themes of identity, authenticity, simulacrum, and the everyday. Edwards concentrates on connecting with viewers through the use of humor by mixing accessible, artificial, and traditional materials.
‘Geronimo‘ is the pseudonym for an Indigenous artist who chooses to resurrect the tradition of ‘death of the author’, exercising a traditional Indigenous practice of not signing their artwork with their name. This Native artist signs the work with the artist’s status number, assigned by Indigenous Northern Affairs Canada to draw attention to the fact that we’re still living under the Indian Act. Despite the strong political statement of this artist’s pseudonym, the creations of Geronimo are playful with whimsical concepts blended Northwest Coast artistic style and bold colours. Reminiscent of ‘pop art’, the vibrant colors and undulating images serve to bring attention to the subject matter, which deviates from traditional Northwest Coast art. Geronimo’s vision is to share the playful and fun nature of the Indigenous communities, and seeks a more democratic art world that is inclusive and free of systemic racism, gender bias, sexism, and economic exclusion.