Artist seeks work stolen from Ociciwan art centre
Like most of the planet, the Ociciwan Contemporary Art Centre had to deal with the pandemic headon: curling up and waiting with patience. In the case of the new downtown art space, it meant the compromise of having to delay its official grand opening show from spring until an as-yet-undecided date — hopefully this fall if all goes well.
The gleaming new building in the Quarters at 10124 96 St., was almost ready, says Ociciwan core member Becca Taylor, who has been with Ociciwan as it blossomed from an Indigenous contemporary art collective to a physical gallery.
“When things started shutting down we were two weeks out from our grand opening. COVID affected us in a lot of ways, like preventing works from even coming to us. It’s completely slowed down progress, but,” she says, “we’re getting there.”
The opening show, amiskwaciwaskahikan, “was designed with Edmonton in mind, all local artists, we were really proud of it. We still are,” she says with a laugh. “If the last two months have taught me anything, you can’t predict anything — you just have to roll with it.”
Added to these troubles was an act of intrusion and theft last month when, as the space was transitioning, someone stole not just new media equipment, but a valuable art object: a medallion made of beads, deer lace and rabbit fur, Lana Whiskeyjack’s Three Generations of niteh (my heart) connections.
“Our main priority is getting the artwork back to the artist. Equipment’s replaceable by insurance, but this artwork is so significant,” Taylor says.
Whiskeyjack wrote a letter of explanation and appeal: “My beaded medicines are created within ceremonial art practices; praying for sexual health and wellness; as well as respected and respectful gender identities within our Indigenous communities. Therefore, the significance of the work is much more than the monetary value — it is a creative practice of paradigm shifting to help address the violence against Indigenous People as well as to help lift their spirits and cultural awareness.
“Sharing the beaded medicine in the Ociciwan grand opening exhibition was a way of sharing the importance of these Indigenous ways of knowing and being. The act of taking without asking for these sacred beaded medicines reflects the continuous act of violence and oppression to ayisiyinway (humans of this earth) voices and medicines.
“Therefore I am kindly asking for the return of my beaded medicine. This medicine was not for sale, not for the taking.”
Explaining a nehiyaw version of karma called pastahowin, Whiskeyjack concluded: “I ask you to return the beaded medicine not only so that your spirit may be lifted without harmful consequences, but also so that my spirit may return to trusting to share my teachings of love and kindness.”
Anonymous tips about the theft can be reported at Crimestoppers, 1-800-222-8477, or contact the gallery by email at director@ ociciwan.ca.
I can also pass on any information or the object itself, no questions asked.
Taylor is hopeful the piece will be returned in time for the opening, which will also feature artists Jane Ash Poitras, Mj Belcourt Moses, Lauren Crazybull, Tanya Harnett, George Littlechild, Dwayne Martineau and Conor Mcnally.
“Everything comes with lessons, right? We’re still very thankful to have this space and to be able to bring the work we’re going to for the next five years and more, the conversations that are going to happen here!”