Beau Dick, Laughter Mask (1973) [Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, Vancouver BC, S-Sep 12 Mar 17] Photo: William Neville, collection of Steve Loretta

Ellen Neel, Totem Pole (c. 1953) [Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, Vancouver BC, S-Sep 12 Mar 17] Photo: Kenji Nagai, courtesy of White Spot Limited

Lisa Telford, Cowboy Baby (2012) [Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, Vancouver BC, S-Sep 12 Mar 17] Photo: Kenji Nagai, collection of the artist

The premise of Carrying on “Irregardless”: Humour in Contemporary Northwest Coast Art at the Bill Reid Gallery is that humour can be a powerful tool in the “survival kit” of First Nations people. The artworks in the exhibit, as well as a series of public programs complementing the exhibit, offer an invitation to re-imagine our relationships to both indigenous art and indigenous art practices.

The list of participating artists is prestigious: Sonny Assu, Dempsey Bob, Joe David, Reg Davidson, Beau Dick, Gwaai Edenshaw, Helen Elliot, Nicholas Galanin, Shawn Hunt, Tony Hunt Jr., Edward Joe, Ellen Neel, Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, Skeena Reece, Bill Reid, Arthur Renwick, Norman Tait, Lisa Telford, Tania Willard, Art Wilson, Lyle Wilson, Jessica Wood, Don Yeomans, Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, three ancestors artists, and Haidawood Media Project.

Co-curated by Peter Morin and Dr. Martine Reid, the exhibition includes numerous talks and presentations by prestigious members of the art community in BC. as well as invited guests. A catalogue accompanies the exhibition.

www.billreidgallery.ca

Mia Johnson