Thursday, February 19, 2009

Gallery 1C03 at The University of Winnipeg proudly presents Everett Soop: Journalist, Cartoonist Activist


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Gallery 1C03 at The University of Winnipeg
proudly presents

Everett Soop: Journalist, Cartoonist, Activist


WINNIPEG MB, February 23, 2009Gallery 1C03 to host touring exhibition curated by Heather Devine and Geraldine Chimirri-Russell, organized by the Nickle Arts Museum at the University of Calgary, showcasing selected political cartoons created by Soop in the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

Everett Soop (1943 – 2004), from the Blood (Kainai) Reserve in Alberta, was one of Canada’s first Aboriginal journalists and editorial cartoonists. A preeminent wit and social critic, Soop’s skilled and creative pen was well poised to deliver cutting political commentary. Soop remains highly respected and admired for his insightful remarks on a range of issues that spared no sentiments; all interest groups were satirized in fair share for the positions and roles they played in the structuring and realization of life in Canada.


After attending St. Paul’s Indian Residential School to the fifth grade, Soop completed his schooling in Cardston, Alberta. He was a gifted artist and writer, and attended various schools including the Alberta College of Art, Brigham Young University in Utah, the University of Lethbridge, and later Mount Royal College. In 1968, he joined the Kainai News as an editorial journalist and columnist.

At the age of 16, Soop was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. As his illness progressed, he became confined in a wheelchair. Rather than give in to the disease, he became involved in advocacy work by educating health professionals and citizens at large about issues concerning the physically disabled.

Everett Soop was an early leader in the Aboriginal political movement that surfaced in the 1960s, and his is the only Aboriginal artist whose work is represented in the Museum of Caricatures of the National Archives of Canada. This exhibition serves to celebrate life and work through a retrospective presentation of his political cartoons.

Everett Soop: Journalist, Cartoonist, Activist is available for viewing from March 5 - April 4, 2009.

Members of the media are invited to arrange interviews with co-curator, Dr. Heather Devine, on March 5 and 6, 2009.

RELATED EVENTS
  • Exhibition launch – Thursday, March 5, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. (1st Floor, Centennial Hall)
  • Lecture by Dr. Heather Devine, “Everett Soop’s Cartoons: Their Political and Social Context” – Friday, March 6 at 12:30 p.m. in Room 2C15 (2nd Floor, Centennial Hall)
  • Panel discussion: “Humor in Indigenous Cultures” featuring Carol Shields Writer in Residence, Maria Campbell; comedian Ryan McMahon; and Indigenous Literatures scholar, Niigonwedom J. Sinclair – Thursday, March 19 at 6:30 p.m. in Convocation Hall (more info coming soon!)

Admission is always free and all are welcome!


Gallery hours from March 5 – April 4, 2009: Monday – Friday: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.; Saturday: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Gallery 1C03 thanks the Department of Canadian Heritage for its generous financial support through the Exhibition Circulation Fund.

Image: Everett Soop, photographed by his brother, Louis, at Standoff, Alberta, in the 1970s. Courtesy of Louis Soop.


Milena Placentile, Art Curator, Gallery 1C03, University of Winnipeg
515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg MB R3B 2E9
204.786.9253 | m.placentile@uwinnipeg.ca
uwinnipeg.ca/index/artgallery-index | gallery1C03.blogspot.com

Colonizing Oort Covered in Akimblog

Check it out! Cliff Eyland loved Colonizing Oort. His full text, including coverage of other awesome Winnipeg-isms, can be found right here: http://www.akimbo.biz/akimblog/?id=262.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Cameroonian Artist, Issa Nyaphaga, to Perform at the University of Winnipeg on March 25, 2009

We're eagerly anticipating Issa's arrival on campus. In the meantime, please feel free to enjoy this short documentary about his practice:

Monday, February 9, 2009

Archived Radio Interview

Shortly before the opening of Colonizing Oort, Kevin Kelly was interviewed by a journalist from Radio-Canada. The interview aired on Friday, January 23.

For the time being, the interview (conducted in French) can be found online. To listen, click here: http://www.radio-canada.ca/REGIONS/Manitoba/Radio/Sitems/Index.asp?pk_region=4&id=79&IDEmissionFR=62&IDCat=3&leMois1=2009/01&sub=..%2F..%2F

then scroll down, waaaaay down, until you find:


23 janvier 2009 - Exposition d'arts visuels
Dominique s'est entretenu avec Kevin Kelly, un artiste visuel qui a conceptualisé l'exposition Colonizing Oort qui est présenté à la galerie de l'université de Winnipeg.
Écoutez


Please note this website requires the use of a particular media player to access this audio file.

Kevin Kelly's "Colonizing Oort"

Kevin Kelly's work is much admired, and the reception it received here in Winnipeg served to underscore this tremendously. Kevin's opening on Thursday, January 22nd was extremely well attended and many shared enthusiastic remarks about all aspects of the show.

Thank you to everyone who braved the cold to share the evening, and a special thank you to Professor Tracey Whalen of the University of Winnipeg's Department of Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications for offering such moving context and commentary. Tracy's deeply thoughtful and elegantly phrased insights were much appreciated and set an excellent preface for Kevin's talk the next day, which was also very well attended.

Check out that full house of eager listeners!

Kevin's tour through his history as an artist was equal parts informative and playful, and the Q&A/conversation that followed was very engaging. Thank you to everyone who joined us and participated!

If you haven't had a chance to see this exhibition yet, there is still time!

Colonizing Oort
runs until Saturday, February 21st and can be found divided between two locations in Centennial Hall: Gallery 1C03 (1st floor) and the Buffeteria (4th floor).

ps. Kelly's experimental travelogue, produced in conjunction with As They Try & Sleep Press and the University of Winnipeg, are still available. This book was produced in a limited edition run of 100, and can be acquired for $20.00 CAD. Please contact us for more information.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

From a galaxy not so far away...

If you pick up a copy of this week's Uptown Magazine, you'll be sure to catch Whitney Light's great coverage of Kevin Kelly's Colonizing Oort.

To read this article in full, click the image below or visit: http://www.uptownmag.com/2009-02-05/page3511.aspx



Remember, Colonizing Oort runs until Feb 21, 2009. Gallery 1C03 is open Monday to Friday from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m., and Saturday from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. Admission is always free, so come on down n' check us out!

ps. Pics from Kevin's opening and artist talk coming soon!