KC Adams
owîceskoyakinikewak
August 8 - October 12, 2024
Public reception: Thursday, September 26, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
owîceskoyakinikewak, which means s/he shapes clay or mud, reflects KC Adams' (Ininnew/Anishinaabe/British) dedication to reviving the lost methods of crafting ceramic vessels used by the First Peoples of this land.
The vessels in the exhibition were made from clay dug from the earth in Regina and Lebret, Saskatchewan, with the participation of many individuals. To ensure that this knowledge never goes silent again, Adams worked with local women to teach them how to dig clay, use woven fibres to reinforce the crumbly ceramic body, and tend to a wood-fueled blaze to fire the pots.
To shape mud is to be a creator. Not to breathe life into the sticky mire of earth mixed with water but to touch and form it into a blessing that nourishes human life. Nestled within an oval of downy ash, vessels modelled on ancient cooking pots await only a coating of oil to heat meals and bond communities together.
Recognizing the importance of community to owîceskoyakinikewak's creation, vessels made by participants Sybil Alexson, Larissa Cyr, Geanna Dunbar, Chantell Dubois, Alison Elsner, Karlie King, Melanie Monique Rose, Ethel Starblanket, Denita Starr, Reah Starr, and Judy Upton feature prominently in the installation.
The roundness of these pots signifies women's roles as child-bearers and protectors of water.
The exhibition, which includes digital photographs, a four-channel audio soundscape, grandfather rocks, wood ash, and clay vessels, creates a space to reflect on the revival of lost knowledge and traditions.
Official exhibition sponsor: TD Asset Management
Workshops supported by a grant from SaskCulture funded by Saskatchewan Lotteries
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts
images: digital photograph from owîceskoyakinikewak, KC Adams, 2024; participant-made pot from owîceskoyakinikewak, clay, 2024; documentation image KC Adams firing a clay pot, 2024; owîceskoyakinikewak installation view at the Art Gallery of Regina (photos AGR staff).
FREE CULTURE DAYS EVENTS
Gain a deeper understanding of the profound dialogue owîceskoyakinikewak stimulates between the past and the present through free activities sponsored by CultureDays.
Share and participate in experiences that activate an understanding of First Cultures and stewardship of the valuable land and water resources, including an artist talk at the University of Regina, interactive sound and electronics performances, and hands-on clay workshops for youth and adults.
Saturday, September 21, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, Clay Creations: Seed Bomb Workshop for Young Land Stewards
Friday, September 27, 12:00 - 1:00 PM, KC Adams' Artist's Talk at Art For Lunch, University of Regina
Friday, September 27, 4:00 - 5:00 PM, NIPIY: interactive, participatory sound event
Saturday, September 28, 1:00 - 2:00 PM, All My Relations: A Hands-On Sound Experience
Sunday, September 29 & Saturday, October 5, 2:00 - 5:00, Unearth Traditions of Working with Local Clay
KC Adams' artist talk for Culture Days will be streamed live from the University of Regina for anyone who would like to join.
Live ASL interpretation will be available for this presentation.
This talk is funded by Sask Culture, via Sask Lotteries.
It is hosted by the University of Regina Media Arts Performance Faculty and their presentation series, Art For Lunch.
This exhibition is sponsored by TD Asset Management, Regina.
Artist's Biography
KC Adams (Anishinaabe/Ininnew/British) is a registered Fisher River Cree Nation member living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with a B.F.A. from Concordia University and an M.A. in Cultural Studies, Curatorial Stream from the University of Winnipeg. She is a relational maker and creator whose work connects to Indigenous knowledge systems. She is also an educator, activist, community member, and mentor.
KC has had several solo and group exhibitions and residencies and has been in three biennales, including the PHOTOQUAI: Biennale des images du monde in Paris, France. Twenty pieces from the Cyborg Hybrid series are in the permanent collection of the National Art Gallery in Ottawa, and four trees from Birch Bark Ltd are in the Canadian Consulate of Australia, NSW collection. Adams was awarded the Winnipeg Arts Council's Making A Mark Award, Canada's Senate 150 medal, the Ohpinamake Award in Indigenous Art and the Quill & Quire's 2019 Books of the Year.
Self-guided Tour Pamphlet
Exhibition Audio Tour
Thank you to SaskTel for sponsoring Audio Tours of our exhibitions
Exhibition Audio Tour Transcript
Press Release
Media Coverage
"owîceskoyakinikewak opens at the Art Gallery of Regina." Saskatchewan Weekend. CBC Radio, August 11, 2024, Saskatoon.
"Regina artist digs into history and clay to inspire others." The Morning Edition - Sask with Stefani Langenegger. CBC Radio, September 25, 2024, Regina. https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-205-saskatchewan-weekend/clip/16087017-owiceskoyakinikewak-opens-art-gallery-regina
THANK YOU
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and that of our exhibition sponsor TD Asset Management
We are grateful to SaskCulture funded by Saskatchewan Lotteries for enabling KC to share her knowledge with local communities through workshops and free Culture Days events
Thank you to SaskTel for sponsoring our exhibition audio tours
Alicia Morrow of The Comeback Society
Star Blanket Cree Nation, especially Reah Starr, Victor Starr and Chief Mike
Donald Thauberger for providing wood to fire pots and include in the installation
Frans Lotz, Jason Hipfner and Karlie King for providing wood ash for the installation
Installation team: Jason Hipfner, Amber Phelphs Bondaroff, Jessie Dishaw
About Canada Council for the Arts
The Canada Council for the Arts contributes to the vibrancy of a creative and diverse arts and literary scene and supports its presence across Canada and around the world. The Council is Canada’s public arts funder, with a mandate to “foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts.” The Council’s grants, services, initiatives, prizes, and payments support Canadian artists, authors, and arts groups and organizations. This support allows them to pursue artistic expression, create works of art, and promote and disseminate the arts and literature. Through its arts funding, communications, research, and promotion activities, the Council fosters ever-growing engagement of Canadians and international audiences in the arts. The Council’s Public Lending Right (PLR) program makes annual payments to creators whose works are held in Canadian public libraries. The Council’s Art Bank operates art rental programs and helps further public engagement with contemporary arts through exhibition and outreach activities. The Council is responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, which promotes the values and programs of UNESCO to contribute to a future of peace, reconciliation, equity, and sustainable development.
The Art Gallery of Regina gratefully acknowledges its core funders and community sponors.