The Power Plant

In conjunction with Beat Nation, artists included in the exhibition will participate in a series of conversations with key curators based in Toronto. They will discuss aspects of the artist’s practice as well as transformations to institutional and curatorial models that explore Aboriginal artistic practices.

Bonnie Devine and Dylan Miner will discuss the emergence and significance of the artist/activist in historic and contemporary Indigenous aesthetic practice. Their conversation will address the convergence of art-making and political action to affect social change.

Devine is artist, curator, writer and educator. She is a member of the Serpent River First Nation of Northern Ontario (Anishinaabe/Ojibwa). Her work has been exhibited at venues including the National Museum of the American Indian, New York City (2012); Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis Indiana (2011 – 2012); The Museum of Arts and Design, New York City (2012); Art Mûr, Montreal (2012). Devine curated The Drawings and Paintings of Daphne Odjig: A Retrospective Exhibition in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Sudbury and the National Gallery of Canada in 2007. The accompanying catalogue was the first publication by the National Gallery in the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwa) language. Devine is an associate professor at OCAD University and the Founding Chair of OCAD University’s Aboriginal Visual Culture Program.

Miner (Métis) is a border-crossing artist, activist, historian, curator, and professor working throughout Turtle Island (the Americas). In 2010, he was awarded the Artist Leadership Fellowship from the National Museum of the American Indian (Smithsonian, USA ). He has had solo exhibitions at venues including Small Projects, Norway (2012) and University of Notre Dame, Indiana (2011). His project Anishinaabensag Biimskowebshkigewag (Native Kids Ride Bikes) is presently touring North America and includes a workshop with Native youth and emerging artists. Miner holds a PhD in the history of art from The University of New Mexico, USA.

Co-presented with

Primary Education Sponsor