New Exhibition ᓯᑯ-ᕿᕐᓂᖅᓯᓯᒪᔪᖅ | Dark Ice Travels to WAG-Qaumajuq
ᓯᑯ–ᕿᕐᓂᖅᓯᓯᒪᔪᖅ | Dark Ice examines the profound and drastic impacts of climate change through art
Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 14, 2023: The Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq is pleased host the exhibition, ᓯᑯ–ᕿᕐᓂᖅᓯᓯᒪᔪᖅ | Dark Ice opening November 18, 2023. ᓯᑯ–ᕿᕐᓂᖅᓯᓯᒪᔪᖅ | Dark Ice was conceived through the collaboration of artists Leslie Reid (Ottawa, ON) and Robert Kautuk (Kangiqtugaapik [Clyde River], NU). The exhibition is travelling from the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) and is curated by Rebecca Basciano.
ᓯᑯ–ᕿᕐᓂᖅᓯᓯᒪᔪᖅ | Dark Ice examines the profound and drastic impact of climate change on our varied ecosystems and how this impact is most evident in communities of the North. The exhibition has a palpable urgency. The North is about contrasts…the dark and light, the vastness of the land and small communities, seeing the beauty and awe of the natural landscape but also the threat it imposes on the Inuit way of life. These contrasts are demonstrated in the artwork created by Reid and Kautuk.
Both artists have interests in maps and have been documenting the northern landscape for years. Their photographs, videos, paintings, and mixed media works highlight the important role ice plays in the North and captures the current state of the vulnerable landscape from unique southern and northern perspectives.
WAG-Qaumajuq is eager to bring this important exhibition to Winnipeg audiences, to highlight the complexities of climate change and to promote dialogue among visitors. While the state of the environment is a global issue, the Arctic is warming at least three times faster than the rest of the world, which makes knowledge sharing and community building that much more important to preserve. This exhibition serves as documentation of the Arctic and a call to action to learn more, to act, and to employ better management of our environment.
This exhibition is organized by the Ottawa Art Gallery and we thank the Canada Council for the Arts for funding the exhibition. Please join us on November 30 for a curator talk with Rebecca Basciano and on December 1 for a tour of the exhibition with Basciano. Both events are free with admission and open to the public.
Quick Facts:
- ᓯᑯ–ᕿᕐᓂᖅᓯᓯᒪᔪᖅ | Dark Ice is travelling from the Ottawa Art Gallery and opens on November 18, 2023, on view until May 26, 2024. The exhibition is curated by Rebecca Basciano. The exhibition is included with Gallery admission.
- The exhibition features the work of artist, Leslie Reid from Ottawa, Ontario. Reid is an established painter and photographer who has conducted research in the Arctic through the Canadian Forces Artists Program and the Canada C3 expedition.
- Robert Kautuk from Kangiqtugaapik (Clyde River), Nunavut is an artist using drone technology to capture aerial photographs and videos of his community. He works at the Ittaq Heritage and Research Centre and encourages Inuit-led research there.
- ᓯᑯ–ᕿᕐᓂᖅᓯᓯᒪᔪᖅ | Dark Ice examines the profound and drastic impact of climate change on our varied ecosystems and how this impact is most evident in communities of the North.
- Join us November 30 for a curator talk with Rebecca Basciano and on December 1 for a tour of the exhibition with Basciano. Both events are free with admission and open to the public.
Quotes:
“Artworks by Reid and Kautuk are stunning and provocative depictions of Arctic land, ice, and communities, illuminating the urgency of the climate crisis. OAG is thrilled to be partnering with WAG-Qaumajuq to bring this exhibition to new audiences!”
— Rebecca Basciano, Ottawa Art Gallery, Curator of Dark Ice
“This exhibition represents a thoughtful collaboration between an Inuk artist and a Settler artist brought together by their common concern for the environment and the communities they represent who have high stakes in that environment. This type of programming really speaks to WAG-Qaumajuq’s commitment to bridge the North and South with meaningful dialogue.”
— Riva Symko, WAG-Qaumajuq Head of Collections and Exhibitions
“I am struck by this exhibition and the underlying theme that when North and South work together, we can develop a dialogue that maps the Arctic and offers a promising path forward in the face of global warming. Thank you to the Ottawa Art Gallery for organizing this impactful show and letting us share it with Winnipeggers. And thank you to the Canada Council for the Arts for making ᓯᑯ-ᕿᕐᓂᖅᓯᓯᒪᔪᖅ | Dark Ice possible.”
— Stephen Borys, Director & CEO, WAG-Qaumajuq
Partnerships
WAG-Qaumajuq thanks the Ottawa Art Gallery for organizing the exhibition, and the Canada Council for the Arts for funding the exhibition tour.
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For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Katryna Barske
Public Relations Officer
Winnipeg Art Gallery
204.789.1295
kbarske@wag.ca
About Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG)-Qaumajuq
WAG-Qaumajuq is a cultural advocate using art to connect, inspire, and inform. Playing a dynamic role in the community, we are a place for learning, dialogue, and enjoyment through art. Opened in March 2021, Qaumajuq connects to the WAG on all levels, celebrating the largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art in the world. The new WAG-Qaumajuq cultural campus is now one of the largest art museums in Canada. To learn more visit wag.ca.
To plan your visit, check out wag.ca/visit.
