Opimihaw Mary Anne Barkhouse May 2021 - October 2021 Curator, Olivia Kristoff

opimihaw Mary Anne Barkhouse May 2021 - October 2021 curator, Olivia Kristoff Kwakiutl sculptor Mary Anne Mary Anne Barkhouse was born in Barkhouse visited Wanuskewin in Vancouver, British Columbia but has the summer of 2019, and was strong ties to both coasts as her inspired by the ecology of the mother is from the Nimpkish band, Kwakiutl First Nation of Alert Bay, BC Opimihaw Valley. Incorporating and her father is of German and past works with brand new pieces, British descent from Nova Scotia. She Opimihaw showcases the themes is a descendant of a long line of of reconciliation, restoration, internationally recognized Northwest healing, and the integrity and Coast artists that includes Ellen Neel, strength in the human and natural Mungo Martin and Charlie James. She ‘ecosystems’. graduated with Honours from the Ontario College of Art in Toronto and has exhibited widely across Canada and the United States. As a result of personal and family experience with land and water stewardship, Barkhouse’s work examines ecological concerns and intersections of culture through the use of animal imagery. Inspired by issues surrounding empire and survival, Barkhouse creates installations that evoke consideration of the self as a response to history and environment. Image: Rosalie Favell from Facing the Camera Series Opimihaw Alpha I The tabletop is crafted from maple Alpha II sourced from the Haliburton Omega Highlands. To create the image of The titles of these works reference Opimihaw creek running down the the hierarchies of power that exist centre of the table, Barkhouse first within the wolf packs themselves. routed the curves into the maple The Alpha wolves are the two and then poured hot glass into the breeding pack leaders, while the groove, causing the wood to catch Omega wolves are at the bottom of fire and produce the scorch marks. the ranking. Even though the The legs of the table are designed Omega wolves occupy a lower rank to give the impression of several within their intrinsic hierarchy, as bison walking past, this is in strong predators they occupy the reference to their significant role in seat of power within the totem of driving the ecosystem of the Great animals. Plains. The piece represents nature The placement of the wolves in the working together, and all fighting corner of the gallery space for a seat at the table. The coyote highlights their roles as careful and and badger sculptures were chosen calculated hunters. A reminder of because of the unique relationship. an ever present threat to their prey, They hunt together and are not and an integral presence in the friends, but allies. Nature shows us food chain. that alliances can be built that further collective interests through Transect (invitation to play) cooperation. One of the researcher's tools in the field of ecological study is the Dominion transect, such as a This work represents sovereignty sample strip of land where and the role of nature. It is styled in measurements of observations are a grand way to communicate the made at regular respect of a prominent member of intervals to monitor plant a family or clan. distribution, animal populations, The quote is from the Book of and so forth, within a given Genesis, It has been interpreted area. both as a call to responsible In this installation a child's stewardship, Others have taken it rocking-style toy, in this case as a declaration of dominance. fashioned in the form of a bison instead of the usual horse, is and hold meaning such as good positioned across a narrow strip of parenting, community protection, carpeting, and leadership. Barkhouse engaged in the semblance of highlights the strength and perpetual motion across the figure resilience in our community, with of a small coyote toy. this important document on the While the two are not in any treatment of the Indigenous apparent imminent conflict, the community and residential school, coyote has a pose of and outlines what happened, when inquisitive alertness, almost as if to it happened, how it happened and say "what are you doing here? well, what needs to be done. you've been gone a long time ….". Bison Series Et in Arcadia Ego means “Even in Bison/ Gate paradise, here I am…” with images This tapestry features a panorama of European settlers being image of the Opimihaw Valley, The confronted by the Bison as they images of Bison are taken from arrive in Canada. Paradise as a lost different eras. world of idyllic bliss, but not The Stargate represents without death. The borders are Wanuskewins role as a ‘Portal in species that are linked to the Time’, taking us back 6000 years ecosystem engineered by the through archeology and history. presence of the Bison. The Baroque style represents the significant Tapestry I (Tapestry of Voices) events that were unfolding The beaver chews and sculpture between the Indigeous peoples of represent the resilience of the Americas at that time. The Indigenous peoples, as beavers too content is through an Indigenous are often considered a nuisance gaze despite the European and there is an attempt to drive presentation. them out (much like at Wanuskewins creek) but they are hard to get rid of. This tapestry features the entirety of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Executive Summary (536 pages). The birds on this piece are commonly used as clan symbols.

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