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Local artists explore reconciliation through new project

Unique project brings together four local artists of diverse cultural backgrounds to interpret the seven grandfather teachings
2022-08-06-ODACartists
From left: Paul Shilling (Dazaunggee), Julie Tian, Xavier Fernandes and Ted Fullerton who are involved with a new collaborative project called A Visual Reconciliation.

NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA AND DISTRICT ARTS COUNCIL
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The Orillia and District Arts Council (ODAC) board of directors is very pleased to announce it has received funding from the Canada Council for the Arts for a collaborative venture titled A Visual Reconciliation.

This project brings together four artists of diverse cultural backgrounds to interpret the seven grandfather teachings. The four are Paul Shilling (Dazaunggee), Julie Tian, Xavier Fernandes and Ted Fullerton. The first of seven public presentations and discussions will occur on Nov. 5.

Ted noted, “This important project is an artistic call for action and truth in reconciliation. Our personal and cultural visual responses to the seven teachings of the grandparents will shed some light on ‘our’ truths as well as evolve a collective truth that we all share.”

“The philosophy of reconciliation starts inside each of us,” noted Dazaunggee, who is the lead artist.

Most ethnicities and societies have central truths that can be lost amid fear and anger. A Visual Reconciliation offers a window to revisiting those principles and speaking to truth in a way that leads to wisdom — and wisdom leads to personal reconciliation.

ODAC applied for this grant to demonstrate through art that diverse cultures can see connections while still celebrating differences.

Co-chair Dennis Rizzo noted, “Dazaunggee and (Fullerton) had been discussing such an effort but needed an arts support organization such as ODAC to help it happen. Our board discussed it and we thought this was a worthwhile and timely project. The folks at Canada Council for the Arts agreed and were gracious enough to fund it.”

The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s public arts funder, with a mandate to foster and promote the study, enjoyment, and production of  works in the arts. The Canada Council, a federal Crown corporation, is accountable to Parliament through the minister of Canadian heritage and is governed by an 11-member board.

“The most important thing for anyone is to know yourself,” said Dazaunggee. “We all come into this world knowing we are beautiful. We have layers like blankets placed on top of us as we grow up, go to school, get a job, have children, grow old. We must remove those layers to see our true selves, and realize we are all beautiful human beings.”

Tian uses art as a way of exploring her Asian diasporic identity, and to share her imagery with local communities in Toronto. She works mainly with graphite, pen and ink, mixed paint, digital illustration, and embroidery.

"I initially expected this project to be an opportunity to share my experiences, but I can already tell from the first meeting that it will be more accurately an exercise in self-reflection and learning. Everyone's vulnerability from the very start shows how much we all care about this necessary project," she explained.

Fernandes is based in Orillia and has been woodworking and woodturning for the last three years, producing over 250 pieces in this short time. He has been creating works of art for over 30 years, using various paints, drawing tools, digital images, graphic design, and music videos. Fernandes has worked on some similar projects over the years.

“I remember doing a series of interpretative pieces. When you looked at them in sequence, they were simply powerful,” he said. “This has that same potential. We can all learn from exploring each other’s cultures.”

The project’s first public presentation is scheduled for Nov. 5 at Creative Nomad Studios in Orillia. At that time, the artists will gather to discuss their interpretations of the first teaching — bravery — and answer questions. Attendance will be free, but tickets will be issued to meet capacity requirements. An announcement will be made closer to that date.

Six public presentations on subsequent interpretive pieces will be held in various galleries and settings around the region. The final, seventh piece — wisdom — will be discussed at a gathering of all the art next summer, again at Creative Nomad Studios in Orillia. Notices will be posted on the ODAC Facebook page and website.

For general information or to arrange coverage, email [email protected], [email protected], or call 705-309-3351.

BACKGROUND:

The seven segments of the project are aligned with the seven grandfather teachings of the Anishinaabe. Those are:

  • Truth - Debwewin 
  • Love - Zaagi’idiwin 
  • Humility – Dbaadendiziwin
  • Respect - Manaaji’idiwin
  • Bravery - Aakwa'ode'ewin
  • Honesty - Gwekwaadziwin
  • Wisdom - Nbwaakaawin

Dazaunggee (Paul Shilling): https://www.paulshilling.ca/ In his teens, Dazaunggee (Sky Buffalo) learned to put his thoughts on canvas and in poetry and has become a renowned artist in his own right. He has taken up the task of bringing spirit and culture to the forefront, emphasizing traditional arts, crafts, and philosophy as healing, and learning tools. Having gone through much of the “system” from an early age, Dazaunggee has dedicated himself to learning and transferring traditional knowledge to the youth of his band and to others willing to listen. He is the lead artist in this proposed project.

Ted Fullerton: https://www.tedfullerton.net/painting Ted Fullerton is a Canadian artist who works in painting, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture and has achieved awards in all four media. His work is exhibited nationally and internationally and is represented in numerous private and public collections. Ted's body of work possesses undercurrents of human emotion and mystery. Many of his explorations have dealt with themes and myths revealing his concern with spiritual and magical worlds.

For Fullerton "mythic symbols are entry points to the unconscious." Through these devices he investigates the duality of human nature, the tension between the rational and the illogical, the physical and the spiritual, the intellectual and the intuitive. Whether he is working in oil, printmaking, sculpture, or mixed media drawing, in intimate or monumental scale, Fullerton's creative process is spontaneous and gestural with sensuous and bold texture, line and movement. - Mary Reid, Director/Curator, Woodstock Gallery, Ontario

Xavier Fernandes: [email protected] Xavier is a Canadian artist based in Orillia, who has been woodworking and woodturning for the last three years, producing over 250 pieces in this short time. He has been creating works of art for over 30 years, using various paints, drawing tools, digital images, graphic design, and music videos. Also working in 3D, he has done body paint, clay, stone, metal, and wood, among other media. He was involved in all three Somniatis Wearable Art Shows in Orillia, and the Call 83 Truth and Reconciliation art shows, that were on display at St. Paul's Orillia. His work can be found at Peter Street Fine Art Gallery and Studio in Orillia's Arts District.

Julie Chǔ Níng Tián: [email protected] Julie is a self-taught Chinese-Canadian artist. She was born in Northeastern China and immigrated to Toronto with her family at age seven. Julie uses art as a way of exploring her queer and Asian diasporic identity, and to share her imagery with local communities in Toronto. She works mainly with graphite, pen and ink, mixed paint, digital illustration, and embroidery. She speaks English, Mandarin, and French and has done workshops with Riverdale Hub and Asian Community AIDS Services focusing on self reflection and gratitude through artistic expression. She is on the board of an artist co-operative based in Chinatown called Tea Base.

ODAC: A registered charitable corporation (Ontario) since 1999. ODAC coordinates funding for local arts and culture projects as well as developing artist-specific and cultural events as well as projects that apply art to the wellness of the community-at-large. Our Vision is a strong united creative community, working together to enhance culture in our area. The Mission of the Orillia & District Arts Council is to empower, advocate for, and celebrate all art forms in our community and region. We value Inclusiveness, Life-long learning, Respect for art and artists, Diversity, Community, Freedom of expression. ODAC has been a driving force behind Culture Days Orillia, The Patio Program, Mental Health and the Arts, Orillia Summer Nights, and many other efforts.

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