Salvaged Work Will Show in Canada
Thomas Grazier and Ducky at the T&L Mini Mart, Lac du Flambeau
When the Native Indian/Inuit Photographers’ Association (Ontario, Canada) closed its doors in 2006, their photographic archives were divided then placed in storage. Co-founder Yvonne Maracle received and safeguarded a portion of the archives that included NIIPA’s largest collection, See Through Our Eyes: A Native Perspective, an ambitious photo project meant to rival the Day In The Life series as a book project.
When I learned of NIIPA’s demise, I often wondered about the fate of my images selected for the book project. It is my pleasure to announce my photos will be among those on display at the McMaster Museum of Art in Hamilton, Ontario, this summer in a retrospective titled NIIPA 20/20. The opening is May 26 with a run through August 13. Afterwards, I have agreed to donate the prints to a permanent home as part of the Indigenous Art Collection at Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
Thanks to Julie Bronson at McMaster University whose research lead to contacting me; Rheanne Chartrand, Curator of Indigenous Art at McMaster Museum of Art; and, of course, to Yvonne Maracle for preserving the work.