June 8 – September 8, 2024
Creation Stories: Supernatural: Glenna Cardinal, Christian Chapman, Bronson Jacque, Uumati Kisoun-Inuarak, Casey Koyczan, Natasha Sacobie, Jason Sikoak, Krystle Silverfox, Michelle Sound, Joseph Tisiga
Curators: Lori Beavis, Emma Hassencahl-Perley, Jake Kimble, Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé
The Biennale d’art contemporain autochtone (BACA), 7th edition
EXPRESSION, Centre d’exposition de Saint-Hyacinthe, QC
The curators for the 7th edition of La Biennale d’art contemporain autochtone (BACA) came together across Nations and territories to create a series of exhibitions with works by more than 60 artists. Our overarching theme of Creation Stories guided us and subthemes were identified for each participating venue. We felt the sub-theme that best fit EXPRESSION was Supernatural.
Beyond scientific understanding and the laws of nature, supernatural storytelling lies. Stories across our diverse communities relay ways of creation and belief systems that inform our cultural practices and ultimately, our identities. Familiar characters, such as the Trickster, appear in many communities offering us guidance and ways of challenging societal norms. Teachable moments are embedded in many of these stories, to pass along valuable lessons to future generations. And perhaps, the most common and important stories are those of creation. The stories of where we come from as Nations is what makes us Indigenous Peoples and it is within these stories that we find our beliefs, voices, and powers.
The artworks featured in EXPRESSION are, each in their own right, strong but when put together become significantly impactful and thought-provoking. Each artist brought with them striking compilations in a variety of media including installation, sculpture, painting, drawing, and video work. The mere size of many of the works are otherworldly, not to mention their content. We ask audience members to allow yourselves to be embraced by the supernatural.
The Biennale d’art contemporain autochtone (BACA) would like to thank the Canada Council for the Arts, the Quebec government (Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Fonds d’investissement pour le rayonnement de la Métropole, Secrétariat des affaires Autochtones), the Conseil des arts de Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, its presentation partners and its media partners.
Launched in 2012, the Contemporary Native Art Biennial (BACA) is a Montreal-based non-profit organization (registered in 2016) that promotes the work of Indigenous artists. The biennial is held every two years, in multiple venues, with each iteration focusing on a specific theme. The event is aimed at an ever-growing audience—Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike—and features both emerging and established artists. Our mission is to promote Indigenous art and to sensitize and educate the public on the cultural issues of the First Nations.