20 Questions with Ian Sutherland

Ian Damon Sutherland.

2. Where and when were you born?

I was born in Lewisporte (technically Gander hospital) in 1980.

3. Where do you live today?

I’m about to move to Corner Brook … these are my last few days living in St. John’s.

4. What’s your favourite place in the world?

I would first say the beauty of our home, Newfoundland and Labrador, makes right here one of my favourite places in the world. I’m sure as I move to the west coast, it is soon to be tops in my book. Next, I have to say the city of Venice. It is a place that I have visited many times and continue to visit every year (pre COVID-19 of course). I can even name my very favourite place in Venice — the Peggy Guggenheim museum. Lastly, I have to include the Adriatic coastline of the Istrian peninsula in Slovenia and Croatia. I lived in Slovenia for several years, and my partner has a house in Croatia that is a much-loved place to be.

5. Who do you follow on social media?

As one might expect, I follow quite a few friends, colleagues from Memorial, higher education leaders and thinkers across Canada and around the world. No doubt you’re looking for a flavour of what might be different or unexpected. In that vein, here are a few Instagram accounts I follow: @midcenturyhome (I’m a fan of midcentury modern design), @marthaargerichfans (I’m a fan of pianist Martha Argerich), and I follow a number of my favourite “Rupaul’s Drag Race” queens.

6. What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I seriously considered being a flight attendant after I finished my first degree. I like to travel.

7. What’s been your favourite year and why?

Well, there have been many great years so far. 2002 was the year I graduated with my Bachelor of Music degree. The second is 2005, the year I moved to the U.K. to start my PHD studies, the beginning of a great adventure and the first time I had the opportunity to live in another country. The next is 2010 when I moved to Slovenia for my first full-time academic appointment. Then there was 2016, when I got the chance to move home to Newfoundland and Labrador. Finally, despite the pandemic, 2021 is shaping up to be a favourite year, as I have the privilege to move to Corner Brook to become VP for Grenfell Campus.

8. What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

The hardest thing I’ve ever done was giving the eulogy at my grandmother’s funeral. We were very close, and I was so happy to do it. However, it was one of the most emotionally difficult things I’ve ever faced.

9. Can you describe one experience that changed your life?

I’ll list three experiences, each of which have made visceral to me the inequality and injustice of our world, the need to acknowledge my own privilege, and the need for me to act:

1. Visiting Robben island with a former inmate who was imprisoned there with Nelson Mandela;

2. Sitting in the home of a woman who survived the Srebrenica massacre, listening to her tell the story of the murder of every member of her family;

3. Attending a national conference on truth and reconciliation within academia.

10. What’s your greatest indulgence?

Oh, there are a few. They mostly revolve around travel, food, and wine.

11. What is your favourite movie or book? 1. What is your full name?

The first book that came to mind was Colin Wilson’s “Spider World: The Delta.” The first movie that came to mind was “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.”

12. How do you like to relax?

Like so many, I’m a bit of a Netflix binge watcher. I also like to hike, especially with my dog, Luka.

13. What are you reading or watching right now?

Recently I’ve gotten into the spy novels of John le Carré. I also just finished watching the biopic series “Halston.”

14. What is your greatest fear?

Sharks, definitely sharks. I watched “Jaws” (and the sequels) too many times as a kid (and occasionally still today).

15. If you were singing Karaoke what would be your song?

“Nessun dorma,” if I could actually sing that.

16. What do you treasure the most?

My family.

17. What physical or personality trait are you most grateful to a parent for?

Kindness — both my parents are the most kind people I’ve ever known.

18. What three people would join you for your dream dinner party?

Beethoven, Miles Davis, Björk — it would be a jam session with snacks.

19. What is your best quality, and what is your worst quality?

My best quality is patience. My worst quality is impatience. How’s that for a conundrum?

20. If you didn’t take this career path, what would have chosen?

I think I would have been a writer. Though, as per my answer to Question 6, perhaps a flight attendant?