Despite the state of the world, I’ve been busy. I’m very glad to have completed my second school-term, I’m in the process of trying to complete my Master’s within a year which is challenging. Last weekend, I submitted my final papers for this term which was both anxiety-inducing and a relief. Being a student and writing about certain topics has felt a bit bizarre given the recent priorities we are all recognizing in this time of COVID19. Has my final work this term been my best? Absolutely not. But I do believe the ideas are there and ideas do not have a definitive deadline associated with their greater worth or cause for reflection. Overall, this time has caused me to greatly self-reflect on humility, patience as well as a focus on well-being and empathy.
Anyways, I wanted to share some of my work that has been recently published:
Firstly, an illustration to accompany Jane Shi’s article for Briarpatch magazine titled, “The Revolution will be Translated”. I actually recall seeing Jane at the Clark and Hastings protests, she was there frequently as was I, perhaps a little less frequently due to schoolwork. The work she describes is integral and important, honouring long ties to land and relations to one another. Read more.
The next work that I’ve work on is an illustration for an article by Justin Wiebe which was published via the Brookfield Institute, the title is “An Indigenous future and present of work”. This article speaks directly to employment equities across industries for Indigenous people and takes time to recognize the implications of COVID19. Read more.
Finally, I have two written works that have been recently published which is very exciting for me. The first is with Inuit Art Quarterly, it’s a review of Maureen Gruben’s exhibition that occurred in Vancouver in late 2019. It’s only available in the print version but I’ll scan a copy for my website in a month or two.
The last article that I wish to share is a piece that I’m particularly proud of, titled “When the City Sleeps, We Dream of Disruption”. It’s published with BC Studies quarterly and walks the reader through the experience of artist Lisa Jackson’s exhibition, Transmissions. Read the entire article on the BC Studies website. In the meantime, here’s a short excerpt:
”Within moments of this reflection, a flash of light washes over the tunnel, and it feels like I am teleported into the centre of a forest. The ground is lush with ferns and moss, and I find myself amidst the warm company of trees. A light wind causes the forest floor to waver; a welcome whisper to the silence. The duality between this scene and its transition to nature appears obvious at first, the viewer can surmise the intentional contrast between city and nature, synthetic and organic. But it’s also worth exploring the relational friction of this visual polarization – for instance, in order for a city to be constructed, a forest must be destroyed and erased. Do we take the time to consider the land’s living legacy and spirit beneath the skyscrapers, condominiums, and concrete? What causes society’s perception of urban environments as permanent and nature as malleable?”
Thanks for taking time to check out my work. I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well. Sechanalyagh.
- Karlene