Traverse

We are pleased to host Traverse, an exhibition of contemporary works by Inuk artist and academic, Mark Igloliorte (Canada).

As an indigenous artist of Inuk heritage, Mark’s works traverse the line between traditional ideas and the contemporary world – often looking at language, imagery and materials that have become part of the vernacular but that speak to traditional customs in a unique and contemporary way. 

With a playful touch, Igloliorte explores important ideas through the mediums of video, painting and sculpture.  Working in these varied ways allows Igloliorte to explore the colonisation of objects and language by re-making and re-telling. 

We are excited to have Mark Igloliorte in New Zealand for an extended period, where he will make a new work in Ramp Gallery – a large scale painting Kayak Is Inuktituk For Seal Hunting Boat. 

This new work highlights the ubiquitous use of the word ‘Kayak’.  The adoption of this Inuktituk word by English speakers has watered down its original meaning and use, isolating form from function.  Rather than a recreational boat, a Kayak is traditionally a hunting vessel, primarily used to hunt Seals.

Another work Igloliorte will be presenting in the exhibition, Sealskin Neck Pillow, playfully acknowledges the banality of international air travel (by adopting this contemporary form) while speaking to the colonisation of materials through regulation.  Seal skin has become restricted from international exchange which has had detrimental effects on Inuit communities, contributing to and compounding social issues. 

Exploring function and form, meaning and translation, indigeneity and colonisation, Traverse is an important and timely exhibition.

A relaxed gathering to celebrate this exhibition is planned for Wed 26 June, 6 - 8pm.  All welcome.

Mark will also be speaking at a Ramp Talks event on Monday 24 June, 1 - 2pm, RG.06.  All welcome.

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This exhibition is brought to Ramp Gallery in collaboration with The Dowse.

This research was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Special thanks also to David Lloyd for supporting the presentation of this exhibition.

Traverse is presented during NAISA 2019 (Native American and Indigenous Studies Association) Conference.  This year is the first NAISA conference to be held outside of the US and Canada, and will be held at Waikato University from 26 - 29 Jun, 2019.

Image credit: Mark Igloliorte, Seal Skin Neck Pillow (2019), Seal Skin, 33 x 33 x 10cm