DIVINE FEMININE PAINTINGS SERIES

Worship of Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes, reveals how her destructive capacity is venerated alongside her ability to create. From wisdom, passion and desire, to war, justice and mercy, the exhibition sought to show how the diverse expression of female spiritual powers around the world prompts us to reflect on how we perceive femininity and gender identity today. How do different traditions view femininity? How has female authority been perceived in ancient cultures? For insights, the exhibition looked to divine and demonic figures feared and revered for over 5,000 years.

HAJAR AL KHOUZAII/ FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY.Visitors were invited to explore the significant role that goddesses, demons, witches, spirits and saints have played – and continue to play – in shaping our understanding of the world. “It’s authentic, and it needs to come from the Indigenous person.” Views: Acrylic on Canvas piece of art by Kanai First Nation artist, Zoe Buckskin, as part of the Divine Feminine exhibit at Inglewood’s Bird Sanctuary in Calgary on July 11, 2022. I think it’s very simple that Indigenous art is made by Indigenous people, and that’s how I understand it,” said Heavy Shield. Home: A Welded Scrap Metal Sculpture by Kanai First Nation artist, Zoe Buckskin, as part of the Divine Feminine exhibit at Inglewood’s Bird Sanctuary in Calgary on July 11, 2022. Heavy Shield said it’s important Indigenous artists are building these creations. The Indigenous artists is diverse and fast, and I’m glad that I’m able to curate and put these pieces in together because they showcase that diversity of art as well,” said McMann. “The Divine Feminine is different than the works that we had last season. “The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary represents this tie to the land and brings the presence of the Indigenous people back to this land.”Īccording to McMann, the exhibits is a starting point for learning and sharing as it creates a greater understanding of Indigenous peoples. Digital art pieces by Kanai First Nation artist, Hali Heavy Shield, displayed as part of the Divine Feminine exhibit at Inglewood’s Bird Sanctuary in Calgary on July 11, 2022. “This is important because we’re putting Indigenous public art in a public space,” said McMann. Indigenous Public Art Curator for the City of Calgary, Jessica McMann, said the exhibit is quite important and urges Calgarians to come see it. “I wanted to bring that out in the art which includes pipe bones and Blackfoot symbolism to really demonstrate the connection that I have to home and to some of the materials that I work with as well,” said Heavy Shield.

Heavy Shield said it’s important to acknowledge the traditional peaceful relationships that Indigenous people had that strengthened the sustainability of the many Indigenous communities. Kanai First Nation artist, Hali Heavy Shield. “It’s an inspiration of the women in my life who have influenced my work, including my mom, who was an artist as well,” said Heavy Shield.Īccording to Heavy Shield, the exhibit is a generational celebration of artwork, as the different pieces represent different Indigenous aspects of relation to the land. Heavy Shield said the art reflects the name of the exhibit: Divine Feminine. The exhibition features sculpture, watercolour and acrylic painting by Zoe Buckskin, Kanai First Nation, Native TikTok by Kelsey Twoyoungmen, Stoney Nakoda First Nation, and Digital art by Hali Heavy Shield, Kanai First Nation. Through sculpture, watercolour, acrylic, Native TikTok and digital prints, the exhibit reveals new perspectives on nature reminding Calgarians that Indigenous people have cared for these lands since time immemorial and served as the original stewards of the places they now enjoy as parks.

DIVINE FEMININE PAINTINGS SERIES

The Land is Home project is the first exhibition in a year-long rotating series of artworks celebrating connections to the land by Indigenous artists. The Divine Feminine art series is at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary for a limited time and people can explore Indigenous art as part of the Land is Home project.

Divine feminine paintings