Tissue is a group show curated from the studios of UBCO fine art students. These colourful artworks portray unique ways of expressing relationships to the body. Whether it be through textiles, sculpting or painting, we see the importance of acknowledging oneself in the process of learning, growing and creating. Tissue is the delicate skin, the gossamer fabric that keeps us all together. Perhaps within the intimate we seek the ultimate understanding of ourselves. – written and curated by Jorden Doody
Simone King
Simone King is a BFA student at UBCO, whose work addresses contemporary textile art, with a primary focus on needle felting and wool. Their practice is multimedia, and they enjoy bringing textile work into both pictorial and sculptural mediums. Their work has an interest in narrative, exploring themes of catharsis, healing, and identity.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
YOU ARE UTTER HELL and Affirmations both came from a need of personal catharsis in the aftermath of a life altering event. Each express different emotional needs in different stages of working through trauma, with YOU ARE UTTER HELL existing in the immediate aftermath, and Affirmations being created as a step towards acceptance and peace.
Both were a departure from my usual textile work, with a graphic and bright approach to the imagery and the inclusion of text. This idea started with YOU ARE UTTER HELL, with the intensity of feeling behind it calling for the stark colours and graphics. With Affirmations, the colours are still bright, but intentionally paired with gentle imagery and text to portray a sense of healing.
Stevie Poling
ARTIST STATEMENT:
The works I produced this semester all came from a place of personal introspection. The mask was inspired by childhood books that are now a safe space I reside within as an adult. The brightly coloured, horned monster motif encapsulated not only this nostalgia, but battles I’ve fought and lost; and the ebb and flow of mental stability.
The duster was made from all up-cycled materials and represents the Spring Equinox, where skin shifts and ice begins to melt and drip. A celebration of rituals (I undertake) when the sun comes out out of hibernation. The two pieces create a portrait of myself.
‘The Magical Talking 8ball’ is a surrealist painting comprised of six different grill and diamond encrusted mouths surrounding a glowing 8ball, amongst an orange and brown sunset like background. The floating organic objects and sparkling atmosphere resembles a scene into another world that represents infinite knowledge and wisdom. The mouths float around the black sphere confidently with open mouths as if to show off their rich and high end dental adornment jewelry. The work represents the voices inside our own heads that seem to rule over all of us, speaking their knowledge and attempting to guide on the correct path. The 8ball represents the immense good luck or bad luck the voices may present us with, and the uncontrollability of life.
Chandler Burnett
Hello to all who may see this, my name is Chandler Burnett (Strawberry Juice). I am a tattooist, painter, sculpture, and surrealism artist located in the Okanagan, currently based out of Kelowna. I am currently in my fourth year in the bachelor of fine arts program at UBCO. I have enjoyed drawing, sketching and painting all my life and love to showcase my work. I go by the alias Strawberry Juice, which is my name upon entering the gateway into my mind. I take large inspiration from local tattoo artists, surrealist artists, and classical painters/old masters. I am an entity exploring and observing unknown territory, I am but an alien observer and creator. I hope to show you what lies beyond, I serve you, the curious.
Rain Doody & Jorden Doody
In their first exhibited collaboration, mother and son have created a mixed media sculpture that combines playful colours and fun textures with the dislocated and decorated limbs of a precious porcelain doll. With baby-like proportions Hereditary naturally attracts the viewer with instinct, care and curiosity. Upon closer inspection, one might either be alarmed or charmed by this beautifully beguiling bundle of joy.
Both artists were born in Kelowna, BC and have been traveling with the circus since 2008. Rain Doody is in the first year of his BFA at UBCO. Jorden Doody is an art instructor in the FCCS Department at UBCO.The Suit – Suit jacket from value village with the sleeves of a dress sewn into the sleeve tips, another dress sewn into the back, costume jewelry sewn in place of medals, and the tassels off a pillow sewn into the shoulders
Ethan M. Life
The mask was first my rendition of an archeological find that belonged to a modern day King, but added to the suit jacket, it has become an amalgamation of what I like to call a broken king, referencing the Pahlavi dynasty of Iran, specifically Reza Shah himself.
Bio – 36 year old Iranian/Canadian who fled Iran in 1996 with the help of the Canadian government and an organization called Child Find. A Canadian citizen for over 2 decades with experience as a firefighter, ski and mountain bike patroller, and now a first year BFA student at the Okanagan campus of UBC.
Jessie Emilie Schmode
Artist Bio:
Jessie Emilie graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Alberta University of the Arts in 2022 and is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus. Her creative research confronts personal experience with mental health, body image issues, spirituality, and religious sexual shame. She captures intimate moments of honest vulnerability by revealing subjects in exposed physical and mental states, often deep in thought or relaxation alone or in relation to other bodies. While also incorporating the healing effects of earth tones, natural forms and plants that cause benefits for mental and emotional health.
Artwork Statement:
I am particularly passionate about body positivity, which is reflected in my painting “Lady on Couch.” In this piece, a curvy female figure is depicted sitting on a green couch, surrounded by potted plants, while petting a small cat. This painting challenges traditional beauty standards by showcasing the beauty and value of different body types. The inclusion of plants in the painting is also significant, as they represent the connection between mental health and nature. My work explores the tension and contradiction we experience within ourselves and our environment and the role of plants in promoting well-being. Studies have shown that house plants positively impact mental health, reducing stress and improving mood. By incorporating plants into my compositions, I aim to create a sense of connection to nature and a more supportive and healing environment for the viewer. My painting aims to positively impact mental and emotional well-being while challenging societal norms surrounding beauty and body image. I hope to inspire viewers to embrace their own unique beauty and find a deeper connection with nature for a more fulfilling life.
Past Shows
on and with the land
Meagan Musseau is L’nu (Mi’kmaw) from Elmastukwek, Ktaqmkuk territory (Bay of Islands, western Newfoundland). She nourishes an interdisciplinary arts practice by working with customary art forms and new media, such as basketry, beadwork, land-based performance, video and installation. She focuses on creating artwork, dancing, learning Mi’kmawlanguage, and facilitating workshops as a way to actively participate in survivance. Meagan is the recipient of numerous awards including the Sobey Art Award, longlist (2021); the Atlantic Canadian Emerging Artist, Hnatyshyn Foundation (2018); Emerging Artist Award, VANL-CARFAC (2018); Aboriginal Arts Development Award, First Peoples’ Cultural Council (2016). Her work exhibits nationally and internationally.
Csetkwe (she/her) is a multi-gifted artist with her roots in the Syilx (Okanagan) and Secwepmec (Shuswap) Nations. Holding the respect of being a sqwuy (mother to a son) stamiya (Two Spirit) and a Traditional Knowledge Keeper, she mainly works in performance art, song/ poetry writing, painting and illustration. She is a graduate of the En’owkin Centre of Indigenous Art, receiving a National Aboriginal Professional Artists’ Training certificate and Nsyilxcn Language Program certificate. She honed her love for performance art during her time in the Full Circle Ensemble Program in Vancouver, BC. Csetkwe’s performances include those of a Singer/ Song Carrier, Spoken Word Poet as part of the k̓ ʷem k̓ ʷem słénsłénəy – Indigenous Female Drum Collective and as the former front woman in multimedia performance collective Skookum Sound System. As a visual artist, Csetkwe is grateful to contribute to the Kama Collective and Ullus Collective.
Aaron Leon (he/him) is from Splatsin, part of the Secwepemc Nation, where he grew up in the town of Armstrong. Aaron is helping to preserve the Splatsin dialect of Secwepemctsin at the Splatsin Tsm7aksaltn (Splatsin Teaching Centre) Society. Aaron has been focusing on promoting a healthier community through arts and culture, by helping organize art and culture workshops at Splatsin. Aaron has worked in community theatre where we explored the history/ stories of Splatsin which has inspired me to continue that story work of bringing our stories and characters to life and currently sits on the board of directors for Caravan Farm Theatre. Aaron is working in photography/video and art as a way to sort through thoughts and ideas. These have ranged from explorations of early photography and how we use it to perceive by abstracting color, light, and time working with landscapes to create different images. In continuing exploring his identity and Indigenous history, Aaron is currently attending UBC Okanagan in the Interdisciplinary Graduate program researching Secwepemc histories and stories in the hopes to learn more about how we can protect our knowledge in the digital history and keep intact the importance of responsibility, respect, and reciprocity in the digital world.
Shekoli swakweku Yakonikulanestka ni:yaktakats ohkwa:li niwakuhtyo:tʌ Onʌyota’a:ka: niwakuhutsyo:tʌ. This opening sentence is a traditional introduction in the Oneida language. It states proper greeting of all beings, then states her traditional name Yakonikulanestka (she of soft mind), is a part of the bear clan and that her nation is the Onyyota’a: ka:(standing stone). Yakonikulanestka Evangeline John (she\hers) is an Indigenous multi-disciplinary artist, currently finishing her first year of the BFA program at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus. Her art is land and traditional Haudenosaunee focus through mediums like raised beadwork,loom and flat stitch beadwork,basketry,shellwork carving,wood carving,sewing,embroidery and traditional indigenous plant dyes,bringing awareness to Indigenous issues, and giving positive representations of Indigenous Peoples through art. Most importantly, she devotes her art to the continuation and revitalization of Indigenous art forms.
Dr. Michelle Jack is syilx/Okanagan from the communities of (snpintktn) Penticton, BC and (nisɬpícaʔ) Omak, WA. She has her PhD from Washington State University in American Studies (Indigenous and Intercultural communication). She is a working Abstract Image Maker/Scholar, who has a BFA from the University of New Mexico and an MFA from the University of Washington both in Studio Arts and Photography. She uses her traditional sylix experiences to enhance her art practice and teaching methods as current head of Visual and Creative arts at En’owkin Centre, in (snpintktn) Penticton on the Penticton Indian Band reserve. As an Abstract Image Maker/Scholar who investigates the physical, mental, spiritual, and material. Over the years as an image maker/scholar I have delved into some senses more than others when making distinct bodies of work that have to do with many different living land memories, and parts of sylix/Okanagan Indigenous culture. To respect our Earth/Mother (təmúlaʔxw), Creator (kwl’ncútən), and ancestors (sənqsílxw) when creating work sustainability has to be considered in every sense or area of life. The knowledges of our people, language, and culture are intertwined with the ideas of holistic methods and processes. My role as an Indigenous and mixed race artist dealing with my cultures is to present a view of our transforming communities. We are peoples of continuous cyclical change. Modern tools and technology are ways we show how our peoples reconstruct, recycle, and transform the materials and tools in front of us to actively participate in our traditional cultures and the world around us.