Ursula Johnson shortlisted for 2017 Sobey Art Award

NOVA SCOTIA ARTIST URSULA JOHNSON HAS BEEN SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2017 SOBEY ART AWARD

Ursula Johnson is a performance and installation artist of Mi’kmaw First Nation ancestry. Johnson has been exploring various mediums including performance art, sculpture, music and printmaking, while utilizing delegated performers as well as collaborative processes in the making of new works. Her performances are often place-based and employ cooperative didactic intervention.

Video transcript (with slight modifications for print clarity):

‘My name is Ursula Johnson, they call me Little Bear. I am from Eskasoni First Nation, I am Mi’kmaw. I’ve been interested in visual arts pretty much my entire life. I grew up with artists in my community and in my family. I just don’t ever remember a time not being involved in arts.  

In my artistic practice I often choose the materials that I feel are going to best communicate the subject matter that I am trying to approach. It is really important for me to come home and to ground myself, to have dinner with my family at the table. I am really inspired by everything that we have at home. 

I am often interested in topics of identity, not only Indigenous identity but also queer identity. Also looking at the idea of stereotypes or stereotype perpetuation. While I was studying, I was involved in politics.  I felt like it was best to have the conversation as an artist in the community, instead of creating policy it was trying to create change on the ground. 

A lot of people say that my art is a trick… or that I’m creating some type of illusion. I’m interested in engaging people to question what they think is truth or fact or history or theory.  One of the things that my great-grandmother taught me is not only to learn about sustainability and sustainable practices but also to really think about your role as an artist in the community and how important it is to bring that conversation to the forefront. Because it is not just about the forest regrowing but the role that the artist plays in the community. 

I think it is our role and responsibility as artists to engage in those conversations that are difficult to have.’

Ursula Johnson’s exhibition The Indian Truckhouse of High Art is upcoming at Central Art Garage.