Influence of art across generations, families explored in new Banff exhibit

By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

BANFF NATIONAL PARK – It’s the smell of fresh paint that takes artist Hali Heavy Shield back to her childhood.

From helping her mom, Faye Heavy Shield, install pieces in galleries to learning a craft by her side, Hali’s artistic journey has always been closely tied to her mother’s.

“She would have piles of grass working on a sculpture or we’d be baking, or I remember the smell of paint quite often when she’d be working on a project – things like making paper dolls,” said Hali.

Now an artist and children’s book author, Hali’s work is part of the current exhibit “Elliptical Lineages” at the Banff Centre’s Walter Phillips Gallery.

Exploring the influence of family members on artistic practices exchanged through generations and speaking into ideas of “artistic lineage”, “Elliptical Lineages” features artists showcasing their individual work and those who have collaborated as family members.

Curated by Jacqueline Bell, the exhibit provides a unique opportunity for artists to show their work alongside one another whether as relatives or friends who consider one another family.

“The initial concept of thinking about artists’ practices that were in some way kind of relating to or reflecting on the creative work of a family member, someone that they consider kin is an idea that’s been on my mind for years now. [It was] really through conversation with artists that the exhibition kind of developed from there,” said Bell.

As one of 18 artists with work on display, Hali reimagines her children’s book, Naaahsa is an Artist! through several mediums. The book tells the story of her daughter and her mom and the creative practices they share.

“It’s sort of a celebration between the relationship of a grandmother and grandchild and how the grandmother’s creative influences can be very powerful and can influence the grandchild,” said Hali.

Alongside hard copies of the book, her pieces include three bean bags made with fabric from patterns seen throughout the story, a mural with illustrations from the book and an audio track done by her mom with excerpts read in the Blackfoot language.

“[My mom] taught me that life as an artist can become a reality. You can really make art for a living and so this inspired me; inspired the idea for the book,” she said.

From the Kainai Nation in southern Alberta, Blackfoot culture is central to Hali’s practice, and she often incorporates Blackfoot language, colour palettes and design referencing her cultural background throughout her work – all a part of her artistic lineage.

“Blackfoot language is so important and integral to who I am and the importance, too, of women. I have a lot of influential people in my life, specifically auntie moms and cousins and sisters and my daughter, of course, that all feed into my work,” she said.

From animations and interactive pieces to beadwork, quilting and found objects, the artists take diverse approaches in exploring tradition, relationship, community and ancestry through the exhibit.

“It’s a really unique and special opportunity for me to be able to share work that really means very much to the artists,” said Bell.

Under the name tīná gúyáńí, parent child duo seth cardinal dodginghorse and Glenna Cardinal, display a piece called “nadisha-hi at’a (I am going home).” Using a silkscreen technique and elk parfleche, their work shows an image of Glenna’s grandmother, Winnie Bull, along with two Canadian pennies.

The piece reflects on the loss of their families’ generational home in Tsuut’ina Nation after the construction of the southwest Calgary ring road.

Îethka artist Kirsten Ryder displays regalia used for ceremonial dances in her piece “Mîsepasin”. The traditional craft of beadwork was passed down to her by her grandmother and mother.

Other artists with work on display are Norma and Sarah Houle, Frank and Rita McKeough, Hangama Amiri, Badrin x Blackburn, Letitia Fraser, John de Haan and Jason de Haan, Aaron McIntosh, Anne, Gailan and Wayne Ngan and Jamie Ross.

Hali hopes viewers of the exhibit will reflect on the importance of family and relationships in the journey of being an artist, along with the power of art to bring healing.

“We tend to work sometimes individually or in isolation, but that’s really not the case,” said Hali.

“It takes a lot of people and especially family is so important in many different areas and I’m hoping that comes about in the artwork.”

The exhibit will be on display at the Walter Phillips Gallery until Sept. 7. Visitors are invited to join a guided tour of the show on Aug. 20.

The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. The position covers Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation and Kananaskis Country.