Conflicting Heroes
June 8–August 4, 2018
La Biennale d’art contemporain autochtone is proud to present at Art Mûr Berlin a special project titled Conflicting Heroes that includes the work of nine Indigenous artists from North America brought together under the curatorship of Michael Patten.
“In the stories we tell and in the stories we are told, it is generally the hero who inspires us the most. At times, a hero may allow us to feel compassion for hardships that we may ourselves have never experienced. Or, it is the bravery, the fearlessness and the determination of the hero that compels us to defend what we believe in, stand for what seems fair or just and find the strength to rise up to an oppressing power.
For many communities, notably for Indigenous peoples, heroes are necessary. Heroic figures are more than models to look up to, they also unite people. North America was built on the obliteration of our peoples, every effort to salvage our cultures is heroic in nature. It is a way of battling the colonizers while honoring our ancestors. It is a way of dealing with our history.”
–Guest curator, Michael Patten (Cree)
The exhibition is already reviewed by several online and print magazines, including Hyperallergic, Mousse and C Magazine.
Artists: Sonny Assu (Kwakwaka’wakw), Natalie Ball (Modoc – Klamath), Dayna Danger (Metis – Anishinaabe – Saulteaux), David Garneau (Metis), Leonard Getinthecar (Nicholas & Jerrod Galanin, (Tlingit – Aleut)) in collaboration with Nep Sidhu, Kent Monkman (Cree), Caroline Monnet (Algonquin), Jessie Short (Metis), Skawennati (Kahnawake Mohawk).
About la Biennale d’art contemporain autochtone
The Biennale d’art contemporain autochtone (BACA) / Contemporary Native Art Biennial is a non profit organization based in Tiohtiá:ke / Montreal (Canada) with a mandate to recognize and support contemporary Indigenous art and artists through programmed exhibitions and events every two years. It was first initiated by Art Mûr in 2012 and just closed the 4th edition titled níchiwamiskwém | nimidet | ma sœur | my sister and curated by Niki Little and Becca Taylor in collaboration with Art Mûr, Stewart Hall Art Gallery, La Guilde, Musée des beaux-arts de Sherbrooke and The McCord Museum.
