When Raven Became Spider
September 19 – November 30, 2019
Curated by Leena Minifie
Artists
Joi T. Arcand
Sonny Assu
Julianne Beaudin-Herney
Shaun Beyale
Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers
Jeffrey Veregge
Graphic novel workshop: Thursday, September 26, 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Gallery 1C03. Led by writer and artist Jen Storm. Presented in partnership with Mentoring Artists for Women's Art Indigenous Art Night program. Geared for all Indigenous women-identified and Two-Spirit people. This program is free but participants should register via this link.
Superhero Stories: Saturday, September 28, 1:00 - 4:00 pm at Gallery 1C03 as part of Culture Days. Visit the exhibit and use our art supplies to make your own superhero story or character. More information here.
Panel discussion: Wednesday, October 9 at 2:30 pm in Convocation Hall, 2nd floor of Wesley Hall. Chaired by Dr. Julie Nagam and featuring Joi T. Arcand, Sonya Ballantyne, Leena Minifie and Tasha Spillett. The panel was recorded and can be found here.
Reception: Wednesday, October 9, 4:00 - 6:00 pm at Gallery 1C03. Remarks at 4:30 pm by Jennefer Nepinak, UWinnipeg Association Vice-President of Indgienous Engagement.
Curatorial talk: Friday, October 11 at 2:30 pm in Gallery 1C03 with Leena Minife.
ASL can be provided for these events with two weeks' notice by contacting the Gallery's Director/Curator.
This touring exhibition brings together works by six contemporary Indigenous artists who combine superhero comic book images with figures and images drawn from traditional and contemporary Indigenous stories. The show takes its name from exhibiting artist Sonny Assu’s works depicting Raven the Trickster transforming into Spiderman in order to maintain his visibility.
The supernatural is a subject of popular fascination, evident by the large number of superhero and fantasy comics, films, and TV shows. As exhibit curator Leena Minifie notes, the supernatural is also a part of everyday life for Indigenous people across nations. “Traditional stories,” she writes, “highlight figures with super-heroic traits who maintain their complexity, while contemporary comic-book superheroes tend to be simply characterized as good or evil. The complex super-heroic beings of Indigenous stories imply the possibility of self-transformation for individuals and communities alike. Bringing these figures into a contemporary context is a testimony to their continued importance and to the resilience and continued existence of Indigenous people today.”
Organized and circulated by the Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina, Saskatchewan.
Gallery 1C03 gratefully acknowledges financial assistance from the Winnipeg Arts Council and the Manitoba Arts Council for making it possible to host this exhibition.
This exhibition is also linked to the 1Book UW initiative foregrounding the Indigenous graphic novel anthology This Place: 150 Years Retold.
Gallery 1C03 hours: Monday - Friday: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m., Saturday: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Accessibility: Gallery admission is free and everyone is welcome.
Gallery 1C03 is located on ground level, but visitors may require the assistance of the gallery attendant to open the gallery door.
For more information, contact:
Jennifer Gibson, Director/Curator, Gallery 1C03
1st floor, Centennial Hall, The University of Winnipeg
515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg MB R3B 2E9
204.786.9253 | j.gibson@uwinnipeg.ca