They Made A Day Be A Day Here

They Made A Day Be A Day Here considers the shifting identities of contemporary artists on the Prairies. Curated by Amy Fung of Vancouver, this exhibition includes a dozen artists who address issues of time, labour and place, exploring histories and methodologies that range from craft to modernism.

Amy Fung, who met hundreds of artists between 2007 and 2011, says the show is a reflection on invisibility in artistic labour. “Conversations can reverberate as resonances of a specific time and place, conjuring a shade of purpose and identity,” she says. “We were all isolated geographically and perhaps politically, but we each held a space, and together we made a place.”

Featured artists include Amalie Atkins (Saskatoon, SK), Heather Benning (rural Saskatchewan/Nokomis, SK), Jennifer Bowes (Grande Prairie, AB/Dawson Creek, BC), Tammi Campbell (Saskatoon, SK), Brenda Draney (Edmonton/Slave Lake, AB), Sarah Anne Johnson (Winnipeg, MB), Wednesday Lupypciw (Calgary, AB), Maria Madacky (Coaldale, AB), Mary-Anne McTrowe (Lethbridge, AB), Divya Mehra (Winnipeg, MB), Jennifer Stillwell (Winnipeg, MB/Victoria, BC), and Leesa Streifler (Regina, SK).

The exhibition catalogue contains essays by Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan, Anthea Black and Nicole Burisch, and Joan Borsa,as well as Amy Fung’s portraits of the artists.

A project website provides additional information about the development of the exhibition and the featured artists. Click here to view the website.

IMAGES

Top - Left: Jennifer Bowes, Beyond Surrender (detail), 2013, paperweaving, wall grid, 14’ x 8’. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Right: Wednesday Lupypciw, Loom Music by Wednesday Lupypciw, 2013, digital video still. Photo courtesy of the artist
Bottom - Left: Divya Mehra, the catalyst for change so often in history is War, 2010, acrylic vinyl and acrylic latex deep base paint, adjustable dimensions. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Right Amalie Atkins, The Summoning III, 2013, chromogenic print. 40” x 50”. Photo courtesy of the artist

EXHIBITION DETAILS