An Indigenous artist’s exploration of her heritage is the foundation of the next exhibition at Amelia Douglas Gallery.
Chapan Snares Rabbits, featuring work by Michelle Sound, is on at the Douglas College gallery from Feb. 28 to April 20. An opening reception is set for Thursday, Feb. 28 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., and an artist’s talk will be held on Tuesday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Chapan Snares Rabbits is a collection of nine pieces inspired by Sound’s heritage – she is Cree and Metis, and a member of the Wapsewsipi Swan River First Nation in Northern Alberta. It includes dyed deer hide drums painted with gouache and metallic paint, as well as other mixed-media works created with canvas, wood and acrylic paint.
“Chapan is a Cree word that means your great-grandparents and also means your descendants,” Sound said in a press release. “My chapan was a midwife and healer who further supported her family with a trapline of rabbit snares. I am inspired by the many Indigenous women who continue to adapt, create and remain the backbone of our families and communities.”
Sound completed her bachelor of fine arts degree at Simon Fraser University and her master of applied arts at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. She’s the current aboriginal program assistant at Emily Carr.
“Michelle Sound’s beautiful, thoughtful pieces function on a few levels: as expressions of family history and identity, as contemporary examples of traditional craft, and as explorations of the cultural and historical roles of both Indigenous women and the craft materials themselves,” said Krista Eide, arts events officer at Douglas College, in the press release.
Amelia Douglas Gallery is on the fourth floor north at Douglas College’s New Westminster campus, 700 Royal Ave. It’s open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Sundays). See www.douglascollege.ca/artsevents for more information.
