This arts and culture column is written by Logan Bales, Serpa Galleries’ curator and gallery coordinator at the Town of Newmarket’s recreation and culture department.
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An art exhibition, an upcoming community project, and a public art installation features themes and content that reflect the importance of tolerance, inclusion, diversity, respect, intercultural understanding, and combating racism.
This commemorative project will raise awareness of larger themes such as violence, war, and human destruction. This is especially relevant in our current landscape with the nuclear arms treaty talks between the United States and Russia.
The main attraction is the exhibition, IKI: Breath, at the Old Town Hall and features two Japanese Canadians, Newmarket’s Lillian Michiko Blakey and Bryce Kanbara, of Hamilton, both of whom were affected by the Canadian internment camps in the 1940s through either first- or second-hand experiences.
The exhibit outlines the life of the Japanese coming to Canada and finding their place and community. It touches briefly on the effects of the war and how they were stereotyped as enemies and, as a result, suffered racism and discrimination.
Both artists recognize that present day cultural groups may find this relatable with everything that is happening nationally and internationally, and they fear history may repeat itself.
The artists have extensive experience working with diverse populations over their long careers and want this exhibit to show the importance of tolerance, inclusion, diversity, respect, intercultural understanding, and combating racism.
Many of the works on exhibit show the beauty in diversity and speak to many different cultures.
For example, Kanbara's community project, Our Place, is a photography installation where multicultural families new to Canada, primarily Chinese, Syrian, Muslim, and South Asian, were engaged in the project by allowing the artist into their home to photograph them at their dinner table.
The idea was to break down barriers and show the audience the beautiful similarities of having dinner with family and bonding over food, along with differences, such as cultural items in the home and food dishes that make up Canada.
The photographs welcome the audience to sit at the dinner table with the family and join in.
In addition, Michiko Blakey connected with various community groups in Newmarket and created a Reflection Garden that will be installed in the gallery.
The Garden is meant to reflect, embrace, and visually respond to the cultures we have here in our community. Each community was given a "rock" to have a poem, proverb, or quote put on the rock.
It is a safe space for intercultural learning and connecting to happen.
In addition to the exhibit at the Old Town Hall, Kanbara’s Shadow Project will be located at Riverwalk Commons, but due to the nature of the project, participation is weather-permitting.
The Shadow Project commemorates the lives lost in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the atomic bomb dropping in 1945. Originally performed in 2006, Kanbara has enacted this project annually in Hamilton and taken it to other cities such as Toronto and Cienfuegos/Havana.
The project is set up as a self-guided public art performance that welcomes the community to participate through simple chalk outlines.
Participants lie down and trace the outline of their body on the ground to visually represent the “shadows” of those who have perished in the bombings.
Here are the details for the events:
Art exhibition, IKI: Breath
Featuring artists Lillian Michiko Blakey, of Newmarket, and Bryce Kanbara, of Hamilton
On now until April 18
Serpa Gallery at the Old Town Hall, 460 Botsford St.
Opening reception is on March 7 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., and will include artist talks in Snap'd Auditorium and a reception at Serpa Galleries
Event is free and all are welcome
IKI: Breath brings together works by Japanese Canadian Sansei artists Lillian Michiko Blakey (Newmarket) and Bryce Kanbara (Hamilton). This exhibition gives insight into Japanese Canadian history while embracing Canada's goal toward a welcoming multicultural society. The exhibit emphasizes a desire for Canadians to be culturally responsible, adaptable, and inclusive. It represents both artists' shared passion for education, community, collaboration, and building foundations of acceptance and belonging for everyone in our society.
Guided art tours are available by appointment for groups and schools. Fees apply. To inquire, contact Logan Bales at [email protected] or call 905-953-5313, ext. 2845.
Bryce Kanbara's Shadow Project
March 28 to April 18
Riverwalk Commons, 200 Doug Duncan Dr., Newmarket.
Our Place gathering with Lillian Michiko Blakey and Bryce Kanbara
April 4, 2020
Opening reception and guest spears from 1 to 3 p.m.
Old Town Hall, 460 Botsford St.
For more information, visit here.