An opening reception on Saturday for Indigenous Art 2023 drew about 200 people to the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford.

Now in its 48th year, the show is the longest running juried Indigenous art exhibition in Canada.

“It offers opportunities to bring together artists at all levels of their careers working in all media,” said Woodland’s executive director Heather George. “(It) celebrates the beauty, brilliance, and diversity of arts in Indigenous communities and nations.”

George said the catalogue cover piece “The Inter-generational Love Series” by Ohsweken artist Shayde Sandy speaks to the important role art plays in Indigenous communities.

“Art expresses moments of pain and moments of joy and love,” she said. “Indigenous artists are storytellers of the highest calibre.

“Their ability to move our hearts and connect across diverse communities and nations is evidence of the important role art plays in the well-being of our families, clans, and nations.”

Woodland curator Patricia Deadman said close to 100 works were submitted by 60 artists that had to be narrowed down to the final installation.

“This is a fine example of contemporary Indigenous art,” she noted. “It reflects the essence of our ways. It remains central to knowing where we came from and shaping the future for the next generation.”

Sandy, a 22-year-old artist from Ohsweken, submitted to the juried exhibition for the very first time after obtaining a degree in Fine Arts from Queen’s University.

Six Nations artist Shayde Sandy had two of her large painting selected to be exhibited in Indigenous Art 2023 at Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford.
Six Nations artist Shayde Sandy had two large paintings selected to be included in Indigenous Art 2023, the 48th annual juried exhibition at Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford.. Photo by Brian Thompson /The Expositor

Her two large pieces – oil paintings with an acrylic background – depict her mother and two aunts, each holding newborns; and her grandfather sitting with her brother and cousin.

“I like to focus on the positive because I feel like with native people, a lot of the time it’s very negative or just not accurate,” she said. “I wanted to focus on candid moments, so people know we’re still here. We’re still existing and doing good.

“Getting selected, I was very honoured to represent my people.”

Indigenous Art 2023 features works in media that include paintings, pottery, photography, carvings, beadwork, and ceramics that occupy all three gallery spaces at Woodland Cultural Centre.

The exhibition runs until September 30.

bethompson@postmedia.com