When I was approached to participate in Dialogue(s), I suggested Montréal-based artist Stanley Wany as I had a hunch that he would provide an engaging interchange of ideas. Not only was my hunch affirmed, but Stanley exceeded my expectations as a partner in a dialogue addressing colonization and climate change. As our planet heats up, it is imperative to understand the link between the conversion of Indigenous land into colonies for European empires, the transatlantic slave trade and what we now face on the edge of climate collapse. Our conversations in preparation for the June 29 event at L’Imagier corresponded with the forest fires that have forced people back into isolation inside their homes. We could escape the smoke but other species could not. With this background of smoke-filled skies and climate grief, Stanley and I embarked on a journey to consider new metaphors for our troubled times.

Read full article on Canada Council of the Arts Art Bank Blog.

Image: Leah Snyder