Visual Arts
Stephanie Yee
Aug 19 – 23
Artist talk Aug 20 @ 7:00pm
David J. Brooks
Aug 19 – 23
Tara Francis
Aug 19 – 23
Stephanie Yee is a visual artist and cultural worker originally from Barrie, Ontario, now based in Halifax.
Gallery Installation Statement:
I am pleased to have the opportunity to present an exhibition that reflects upon my practice as a performance artist. This show entitled, Gestures, includes three GIF videos as well as photo stills documenting two performances. With my work being concept based, I allow for the ideas to determine the methods in which I communicate. Believing that less is more when communicating a message, I often use minimal acts and repetition as a way of exploring my subject matter. As these simple gestures are looped, a narrative is created as we now must consider how the element of time plays a role in these acts.
The late David J. Brooks made a name for himself as one of the first contemporary Mi’kmaq artists in Nova Scotia. His intensely colourful and iconic style of painting was uniquely his own, and can be found in museums and galleries all over Nova Scotia. Many know his art from the vibrant and graphic mural of an eagle the sun that blazes on the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre in North-End Halifax. David dedicated his life to art, and shared his passion with his two daughters, Sarah and Chelsea. Prismatic is honoured to have the Brooks Family’s work showcased at Prismatic. The family will be selling some of David’s work and his daughter, Chelsea, will be selling some of her very own artwork.
Tara is an Aboriginal artist, who lives in Elsipogtog First Nation. She is of Mi’kmaq and Irish decent and is inspired by the ancient spiritual practices of her ancestors, searching for common threads in their rich histories and by her own personal connection to Mother Earth. Her art is her journey and her gift. Tara studied at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, taking Native Art Study under the guidance of the now late Elder Gwen Bear, where she learned the traditional Mi’kmaq skill of Porcupine Quillwork, Silk Painting, and fabric embellishment. Her most recent accomplishment has been her participation in the group exhibit Over and Under hosted by Harbourfront Centre in downtown Toronto as part of the Planet IndigenUS Festival, the show runs from June 20th until September 20th 2015.