Pushing Boundaries 2023:

Our Home on Native Land

Guest Curator:  Sho Sho Esquiro

Pushing Boundaries 2023 will be held at CityScape Community ArtSpace from Friday, September 29 to Saturday, November 4, 2023.

North Van Arts is seeking professional and emerging artists that identify as First Nations/Metis/Inuit people of the land known as Canada, for the bi-annual Pushing Boundaries exhibition. Artists are welcome to submit all forms of artwork; 2D, 3D, video, textile, and multimedia.

Theme:

The theme of the 2023 exhibition is Our Home on Native Land. This exhibition explores the issues threatening Indigenous sovereignty for the past hundreds of years since the 1400’s. Some of the main issues and key events include Aboriginal title and Extinguishment; Inherent right to land or territory; Enfranchisement; the Federal Governments assimilation policies I.e., Indian Act 1876; and the 1763 Royal Proclamation.

Systemic harms and racism still exist within Canada’s governments and as we delve deeper into Canada’s past Canadian’s will learn about how these policies affected Indigenous Peoples such as not having the right to vote federally until 1960. Currently under the Indian Act “Indians” do not own their land. Instead, it’s held for them by the government as “Crown Land”.

We all need to have a greater understanding of the history that is not taught. Through greater knowledge sharing we work towards reconciliation with hopes that non-Indigenous people will stand in solidarity and become allies who create space for understanding, compassion, and empathy. Through intergenerational strength and resilience, we create to share our story.

This exhibition further explores the following topics:

• Enfranchisement, the legal process for terminating a person’s Indian Status and conferring full Canadian citizenship.
• Royal Proclamation, 1763
• How we express our sovereignty
• Celebrating resilience
• Contextualizing Indigenous truths

Curatorial Statement – Sho Sho Esquiro:

Envisioned is a space of healing, learning, and honoring truths. Expressing oneself through art is a gift all can accept with gratitude. Standing in solidarity with a willingness to listen to the voices of our story keepers. “Stories are my Wealth”, written by cherished Tagish Elder Angela Sidney. We as artists use our art form to capture the past, present, and future. We honor those Ancestors whose strength and resilience guide us forward.

How to apply:

To apply, please complete the online submission form.

If you need assistance with the online form or have any questions or concerns, please contact our Exhibitions Manager:

 Saghi Ehteshamzadeh

 saghi@northvanarts.ca or 604-9886844.

Terms and Conditions:

Please make sure you fill out all fields in the application and read through the terms and conditions before submitting.

• All participants must artists identify as First Nations/Metis/Inuit people of the land known as Canada.
• North Van Arts will manage digital marketing materials, exhibition installation, sales, and the promotion of the exhibition through our website, member newsletters, ebulletins, press releases and online listings.
• If the artist agrees, all their work will be for sale. North Van Arts staff handles all sales and takes a 30% commission on sales of artwork.

Submission Checklist:

• Contact details
• A current bio and artist statement
• Artwork inventory list which should include the following:
• Title of the artwork
• Artist name
• Medium
• Dimensions of work (height x width x depth) in inches
• Artwork value (whether it is for sale or not, framed/unframed)
• Year of production
• Images of your artwork (up to 10 images): please title each image in the following format:

       Artist Name_Artwork Title_Medium_Dimensions.

Fees/Compensation:

There are no application fees.

There will be an exhibiting fee of $450 paid to the selected artists.

Deadline for submissions:

Thursday, August 24 at midnight.

Thank you for your submissions!