Daily Archives: November 23, 2022

Kahnawake Brewery Installation Mural

Posted on November 23, 2022 | Leave a comment

In November 2022, I was invited to produce a mural for the Women’s Restroom at the Kahnawake Brewing Company. The intention was to create a space that not only complemented the aesthetic and identity of the brewery, but honoured the feeling femininity. Femininity, as a social construct, can involve many layers of reflection. From gender constructs, to feminism, to images we personally feel drawn to, the idea of capturing femininity. seemed more complex than simply beautifying a bathroom space.

I wanted to honour the diversity of what it means to be a woman and how we came to identify as such. This mural thus featured a series of portraits with minds bursting with herbs, medicines and butterflies. I drew from my own curiosity of natural medicines and magic of our long traditions of connecting with the land. Each woman and each life entity, being connected to the Earth, features a story of interconnection. The butterflies pollinate the medicines, who then care for the people. As a symbol, this speaks to the importance of women honouring and empowering each other–that we can nourish each other so our whole community can flourish with inspiration, healing and magic entirely of our own.

Using recycled photoframes I hand painted in bronze, each portrait was then framed so that viewers of this mural can find a piece of themselves to honor and love.

How did I come to connect with the Brewery?

In October 2021, I designed a brew label for them! If you happen to visit, check out the New England IPA entitled “Centauress”!

Image curtesy of the Kahnawake Brewing Company.

Every Child Matters

Posted on November 23, 2022 | Leave a comment

This year, I designed the Kahnawake Education Center’s Orange shirts for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30th 2022. Although the process started like many other drawings, there was something that shifted along the way. As I thought about symbols and stories staring down at my blank surface, many things passed through my mind.

I thought about what it would feel like to be taken from home.

I thought about what it would feel like if I was unable to see the children in my life as a parent ever again.

I thought about what it would feel like to come home and feeling like a stranger in my own body.

I thought about my grandfather, who if he hadn’t come home from Residential School that I would not exist and nor would my family.

And for a moment, in the midst of feeling everything that comes with our shared trauma, I felt a moment of gratitude.

I thought about all our children wearing this image and how beautiful they are. All of them who are here because of the love and strength in our community. I knew that it was important to weave intention and ceremony into the image that was to unfold.

In this image, we have turtle island as the foundation for all of our unwavering roots to remind us that home is connected to the soil under our feet.

We have our tota moon to remind us that no matter how alone we can feel, both as children and each of us as children at heart, she is always there to guide us through change.

We have Sky Woman, Mother Earth or truly the idea of any parent figure in our lives, holding what seeds and intentions we plan to birth, grow and sow.

Wrapping us together are flowers and other details, reminding us that no matter the environment, as a community we can find space to thrive and blossom.

At the bottom, we have a wumpum to remind our neighbours to their commitment to becoming or continuing as allies.

And the center, we have the handprint for both the children who did not come home and for those that did to remind them that we love them each so dearly.

Maybe it’s just a shirt, but for me it’s medicine and we may not always realize it.

Every child matters reminds us of the importance to make safe spaces for children to grow, to change as they change, to blossom and to feel loved. That’s our collective role as a community and when we wear orange, we validate that commitment to our children so that they never feel unrooted.

Youth Installation Piece

Posted on November 23, 2022 | Leave a comment

Over the summer 2022, both myself and Photographer Dayna Danger collaborated with POP Montreal and LOVE (Leave out Violence Everywhere) to facilitate an arts-based experiential for youth. Focused around the theme of climate justice and the intersections between land/body, the young people came together to create a narrative that explored their past, present and hopes for the future in terms of rebuilding relationships with the land.

Exhibition of their stores was held in September during Montreal’s POP festival. Sending out big auntie love for all the young people in our creative community!