January 26, 2023 - April 24, 2023

Connection to territorial lands and waters, and the plant and animal beings inhabiting such spaces, is a common thread uniting many of the artworks in this exhibition. The pieces invoke a form of Indigenous memory and identity as written on the land, body, or spirit. Some explore contemporary life through the lens of protection and resilience – the ability to challenge, or overcome, the destructive processes inherent to the colonial experience in Canada. Others explore the ongoing relevance of ancestral teachings in daily life.

Several of the featured artworks remind us that plant and animal beings are our relatives, that they – and their gifts – must be treated with respect. It is our duty to care for them by stewarding shared lands and waterways where they also make their homes. Our lives are interwoven. Their wellbeing is also our wellbeing. By living this way, we ensure a legacy for future generations while honoring traditions passed down by our ancestors.

Other artworks ask us to consider ways that Indigenous identity can be expressed in an increasingly urban landscape. They ask us to reflect upon ways we can protect our spirits in such settings. Medicine wheels become softer, portable artworks, while fabric is transformed into symbols of resilience and memory. All these works thread together the importance of walking with well-being and respect.

This exhibition is a celebration of 2021 Emerging and Mid-Career Artist Scholarship recipients. Through the YVR Art Foundation Scholarship Program these artists continued their studies or worked with mentors to expand their personal knowledge of Indigenous art and design. The results are breathtaking and inspiring. MOV is honored to showcase the work of these nine talented artists, and we raise our hands in respect and appreciation for those who have inspired and taught them.