Storied Objects: Métis Art In Relation
Remai Modern, September 24, 2022 – July 2, 2023
Artists: Jason Baerg, Christi Belcourt, Kim Belhumeur, Bob Boyer, Daphne Boyer, Katherine Boyer, Amy Briley, Wilfred Burton, Tammy Chief, David Garneau, Grandmother Artists, Margaret Harrsion, David Heinrichs, Brenda Hrycuik, Jennine Krauchi, Lynette La Fontaine, Rosalie Laplante Laroque, Maria-Margaretta, Dylan Miner, Mona Moquin, Bernadette Murray, Audie Murray, Jocelyn Ormerod, Brianna Oversby, Brenna Pacholko, Kathie Pruden-Nansel, Melanie Monique Rose, Ashley Shaw, Jessie Ray Short, Cheryl Troupe
Métis people have always understood themselves and their culture through art. The grandmothers of the Métis Nation adorned loved ones in exquisite beadwork, embroidery and quillwork. Every stitch embodies care and strengthens relations. History and memory are encoded in form and material. In tandem with oral tradition, objects act as memory devices for the recalling of stories. The term storied objects aligns with the widely held belief in Indigenous cultures that objects have their own life force and power. This exhibition draws on the scholarship of Métis art historian Sherry Farrell Racette. Describing storied objects, she writes, “They remember. They remember us. They remember for us.”
Storied Objects: Métis Art in Relation considers the deep continuity between contemporary and historic Métis arts. The artists in the exhibition adapt, translate and transform ancient media and practices into new forms. Their works draw on the narrative power of objects to communicate knowledge of self, community and place.
Storied objects are embedded with relations and are often considered relatives themselves. Recognizing this, artworks in the exhibition create spaces for visiting and storytelling that will be activated by programs throughout the exhibition run. See the events at the bottom of this page for more details.
This exhibition owes much to Sherry Farrell Racette’s essay “Encoded Knowledge: Memory and Objects in Contemporary Native American Art,” in the book Manifestations: New Native Art Criticism (IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, 2011). Farrell Racette offered further guidance as exhibition advisor. Holly Aubichon; Maria Campbell and Cheryl Troupe from The Crossing Theatre Company; Victoria Kablys, Bailey Randell-Monsebroten and Cindy Scheer from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum; Gabriel Dumont Local #11; Gregory Scofield; and Maureen Matthews from the Manitoba Museum, have also contributed to shaping the exhibition. Storied Objects is curated by Tarah Hogue, Curator (Indigenous Art), with support from Remai Modern’s staff.
Storied Objects: Métis Art in Relation was named one of eleven projects to receive an Award for Excellence from The Association of Art Museum Curators for 2023 at their conference in New York City.
Read “The Little Traveller” by Sherry Farrell Racette about one of the small beaded pouches in the exhibition, loaned from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.
PROGRAMS
Shushkitew Collective, Saskatoon Gathering
September 23–24, 2022
Over 40 Métis artists, curators, cultural workers and knowledge holders gathered over the final weekend in September at Remai Modern for Shushkitew Collective’s second gathering. Together, everyone celebrated the opening of Storied Objects, discussed the needs of the Métis art community, envisioned future supports, and more.
To watch all the roundtables and artist talks, visit Shushkitew Collective’s website.
Story Bundles was a series of six events produced by The Crossing Theatre Company, and held during the winter months in Dylan Miner’s installation, The Elders Say We Don’t Visit Anymore (2014–). The series highlighted the various ways Métis stories are shared through visiting, humour, singing, dancing, fiddle music and sharing food. Each Story Bundle event was accompanied by Métis fiddle player Tristen Durocher to showcase the storytelling nature of fiddle music.
October 15, 2022 - Introduction to Métis Storytelling. The first event is an introduction to Métis storytelling: a conversation with author Maria Campbell and historian Cheryl Troupe about the importance of storytelling in Métis tradition and how stories and knowledge are passed on. Audie Murray will conclude the gathering with a performance titled holding our hands, which incorporates her great-great-grandmother’s beaded gloves.
November 12, 2022 - Laughter and Stories. Be ready to laugh at our second event! Join us for a great afternoon of Michif visiting, laughter, and stories about growing up in the Qu’Appelle Valley with childhood buddies Murray Hamilton and Roger Pelletier.
December 10, 2022 - Michif Christmas Traditions. Visit with us and learn how the Michif celebrated and feasted at Christmas, as family stories and traditions are shared by knowledge keepers Nora Cummings, Faye Maurice and Cort Dogniez.
January 7, 2023 - Michif New Year Traditions. Be ready to dance and learn how Métis celebrated Li Zhoor dii Rway in Michif (the New Year in Anglais). Listen to fiddle music, songs and learn to jig with Wilfred Burton, Krystle Pederson, Cort Dogniez and Tristen Durocher. Learn about the Red River Jig and hear the story of Old Jonas.
February 4, 2023 - Métis Embroidery and Needlework. Visit with and learn about the historic and traditional art of Métis embroidery from silk and needlework artist Roxanne Fischer. Taught by her old Michif aunties, Fischer is one of the few people who still practices this fine silk work. She comes from a family of silk and beadwork artists and will share family stories and history as well as some rare heirloom pieces.
March 4, 2023 - Be Ready to Feast! Visiting and good food go together in Métis communities. Eat and hear amazing stories about food and our wahkohtowin, our kinship roles and responsibilities to the animals, fish and plants that we eat. Share great recipes and sample the food prepared by your hosts, experienced Métis cooks Maria Campbell and Cheryl Troupe. We will also feature dancing from Kate Boyer and fiddle music from Tristen Durocher.
REVIEWS