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Aboriginal artists Luke Parnell and Jason Jenkins were selected as Miziwe Biik Development Corporation’s (MBDC) first curatorial Interns under Thunderbird, a national Aboriginal arts program. Mentored by award winning artists Robert Houle and Bonnie Divine, members of the Aboriginal Curatorial Collective (ACC), the Interns were tasked to develop and deliver an art show as the outcome of their mentorship. The result will be Red Runners. This art show is slated to run from June 22 to July 2, 2010 at theWell and Good Art Space (52 McCaul Street near OCAD) in conjunction with Aboriginal month. Up to 15 traditional and contemporary Aboriginal artists from across Canada and the United States were selected from dozens on entries with the following challenge: how would they interpret an ordinary pair of white running shoes? Works expected will be mounted on pedestals, on walls and suspended from the ceiling, and there will be at least one video installation. In short, the variety of responses will mirror the experiences of the Aboriginal artists themselves from diverse locations. (More on Exhibition) OPENING EVENT : WELL and GOOD Art Space - JUNE 25, 2010 7:30 PM

CURATORS: Jason Jenkins (left) and Luke Parnell (right)

photo by Nadya Kwandibens © MBDC

LUKE PARNELL

I am of Nisga’a and Haida heritage; this fact is reflected in my work.  I have been trained both traditionally and classically, meaning that I have a B.F.A. from the Ontario college of art and design and I apprenticed with a master carver for three years as well as working with other carvers on various projects.  I’ve been carving for seven years; I’ve been a professional artist for six of those years.  I shown in many group shows and had one solo exhibition.  My art and the art I like is finely done and while I don’t consider my self a craft person I consider fine craftsmanship important.  My work is a mixture of cultural objects and contemporary installation pieces though both are based in Northwest coast art.  My work is also a sort of self-portrait, whether it is my personal or cultural history.

JASON JENKINS

Just like the music in his life Jason Jenkins, aka DJ Divinyl, is the perfect mix. Of French-African and Ojibway heritage, Divinyl’s path of musical rediscovery has seen him build 15 years of deejaying experience on the turntables. Coming out of the City of Roses – Windsor, ON – his well-composed sounds have been heard far and wide. Divinyl has deejayed all across Canada, opened for multi-platinum hip-hop emcee Eminem, and played international sets in Chile, Portugal and Costa Rica. Currently based in Toronto, Divinyl’s self-owned production company “Going on Dreams”, has carved a place in the city’s competitive entertainment industry in just three short years. From co-producing an album with First Nations hip-hop emcee Plex; to playing sets at events like the “Larger than Life” concert – which was filmed and is being distributed by Cineplex theatres across the nation - DJ Divinyl’s impact continues to grow just like his ability to rock a show.

EXHIBITION STATEMENT and ARTISIT LIST

STATEMENT

Pending

ARTIST LIST

• Jason Baerg
• Jordan Bennett
• Emilie Corbiere
• Mike Dangeli
• Morgan Green
• Mervi Salo
• Lisa Myers
• Chris Pappan (see runners in banner at top)
• Rosary Spence
• Ehren ‘Bear Witness’ Thomas

CATALOGUE

Digital/Press Layout (cover file and inside book)
pdf file

Print catalogue available at gallery for $5ea

CONTACTS

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kenn Ross
Miziwe Biik Development Corporation / Thunderbird
416.591.8727
kross@miziwebiik.com

CURATORS:

Luke Parnell
lukejparnell@hotmail.com

Jason Jenkins
divinyl_dj@hotmail.com

MENTORS: ROBERT HOULE and BONNIE DEVINE

ROBERT HOULE

Robert is from Sandy Bay First Nation in Southern Manitoba (Saulteaux) and holds degrees in Art History and Art Education and studied drawing and painting in Europe. He was the first curator of contemporary native art at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and taught Aboriginal studies at the Ontario College of Art and Design for 15 years. Houle has exhibited nationally and internationally and has curated, written and published extensively, including several articles on First Nations art and artists since 1974. He is currently working towards two exhibitions for next year and a book of collected essays.

BONNIE DEVINE

Bonnie is a member of the Serpent River First Nation of Northern Ontario (Ojibway) and is an artist, curator, writer and educator. Devine is an associate professor and the interim director of the Aboriginal Visual Culture Program at the Ontario College of Art and Design. Her artwork and videos have been exhibited in Canada, the USA and Europe. Her most recent curatorial project, The Drawings and Paintings of Daphne Odjig: A Retrospective Exhibition, is currently touring Canada and the United States in collaboration with the Art Gallery of Sudbury and the National Gallery of Canada. Devine graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design and York University and lives and works in Toronto.