FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Beaverbrook Art Gallery to Host Landmark Radical Stitch Exhibition
(October 28, 2024, Fredericton, NB) – The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is thrilled to announce the upcoming presentation of Radical Stitch, the most comprehensive exhibition of contemporary Indigenous beadwork ever seen on Turtle Island (North America). Travelling to the Beaverbrook following it’s stop at the National Gallery of Canada, the exhibition will run from November 30, 2024, to March 2, 2025. This groundbreaking showcase celebrates beadwork as a central medium in Indigenous art, exploring its deep cultural, historical, and political significance. Through a remarkable collection of artworks, Radical Stitch will spotlight how beadwork serves as a powerful vehicle for storytelling, cultural preservation, and advocacy for Indigenous rights.
Curated by Sherry Farrell Racette, Michelle LaVallee, and Cathy Mattes, Radical Stitch features a diverse array of forms, including wearable art, large-scale installations, and multimedia pieces, while exploring beadwork’s role in decolonization, resistance, and healing. Organized and circulated by the MacKenzie Art Gallery, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on how contemporary Indigenous artists engage with their histories and confront pressing social issues. Through a combination of traditional techniques and modern practices, the artists create works that resonate across time and geography, fostering dialogue about the resilience of Indigenous peoples and their contributions to contemporary art and society.
"It is an honor to host Radical Stitch at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. This exhibition is one of the most remarkable showcases of contemporary Indigenous beadwork that I have had the privilege of experiencing. It is truly exciting to see some of the exceptional artists and artworks I have admired for years included in this exhibition. We are incredibly fortunate to be entrusted with caring for such a significant exhibition, and as the sole venue in Atlantic Canada, we are proud to share this important cultural event with the community." Says Emma Hassencahl-Perley, Curator of Indigenous Art at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
The curators of Radical Stitch uniquely allow hosting institutions to highlight local beadwork artists within the exhibition, creating a site-specific experience that showcases the depth and diversity of Indigenous beadwork. By integrating works from Wabanakik, the Beaverbrook is excited to highlight local artists and their stories as they contribute to the national conversation on contemporary Indigenous beadwork.
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery invites the public to the official opening ceremony on November 29, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The event will feature opening remarks by the Beaverbrook’s Curator of Indigenous Art Emma Hassencahl-Perley, along with visiting curators Sherry Farrell Racette, Michelle LaVallee, and Cathy Mattes, along with special addresses from Elder Ramona Nicholas and the Wolostoqey Grand Chief, Ron Tremblay. Guests will also enjoy performances by dancers Abby Brooks and Kyana Kingbird, as well as drumming by the Muskrat Singers.
In addition to the exhibition, the gallery will host a variety of special programs throughout the run of the exhibition, including curator talks, beading workshops, and interactive events designed to foster greater understanding of the significance of Indigenous beadwork. Click here to learn more.
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Organized and circulated by the MacKenzie Art Gallery. The MacKenzie receives ongoing support from the South Saskatchewan Community Foundation, Canada Council for the Arts, SaskCulture, City of Regina, University of Regina, and Saskatchewan Arts Board. Tour supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery, located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, is one of Canada’s finest art institutions. Opened in 1959, the Gallery offers a diverse range of exhibitions, educational programs, and events that foster cultural engagement. It showcases both historical and contemporary works, celebrating Canadian, Indigenous, and international artists. The Gallery serves as a cultural hub for the community, offering dynamic experiences for visitors. Its permanent collection includes over 5,000 artworks, featuring significant pieces by British, Canadian, Indigenous, and Atlantic artists, including works by renowned masters such as Salvador Dalí. We respectfully acknowledge that the Beaverbrook Art Gallery and its activities are located within the traditional unceded territory of the Wolastoqiyik and Mi'kmaq Peoples of New Brunswick.
Media Contacts
Curtis Richardson
Manager of Marketing and Communications
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
703 Queen Street, P.O. 605
Fredericton, NB E3B 5A6
Phone: (506) 458-2028
Email: crichardson@beaverbrookartgallery.org
Web: www.beaverbrookartgallery.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeaverbrookArtGallery
Instagram: www.instagram.com/beaverbrook_ag
