Mark Bennett: I'm Tired
June 20 - August 5, 2022
Toronto-based Inuk designer Mark Bennett premieres his work in Â鶹´«Ã½ with I’m Tired, a vinyl wall art installation. Bennett reflects on burnout within the arts, explores the importance of digital communications as a tool for community building in the absence of in-person gatherings and underscores the vital need for critical discussions around identity, community responsibility and institutional pressures.
I'm Tired is presented in conjunction with the Inuit Studies Conference 2022: Auviqsaqtut which takes place at The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ and Qaumajuq/Â鶹´«Ã½ Art Gallery from June 19 – 22. Auviqsaqtut [Ouuuv-vick-suk-took] can be translated to cutting blocks to make an iglu, or working together to build an iglu. Auviqsaqtuq evokes themes of collaboration, Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, sharing intergenerational knowledge, and building something together.
Â鶹´«Ã½ the artist
Mark Bennett is an Inuk designer from western Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland) and currently based out of Tkaronto, Ontario (Toronto). His practice is rooted in graphic design but explores other mediums such as printmaking, code, moving images, and sound. The primary focus of his work is about the exploration of his mixed identity, developed from ongoing questions and conversations with his community and family about fitting in, and lack thereof. Mark has a full-time commercial design practice collaborating with artists, galleries, and cultural organizations, and is a part-time undergraduate architecture student at the University of Toronto. One of Mark's most recent projects includes the publication and exhibition graphic design for INUA, at Qaumajuq-Â鶹´«Ã½ Art Gallery.
Â鶹´«Ã½ the Curator
Franchesca Hebert-Spence currently resides in Ottawa is Anishinaabe from Â鶹´«Ã½, Manitoba, her grandmother Marion Ida Spence was from Sagkeeng First Nation, on Lake Â鶹´«Ã½, Manitoba. The foundation of her creative practice stems from Ishkabatens Waasa Gaa Inaabateg, Brandon University Visual and Aboriginal Arts program. She has begun as a PhD student in Cultural Mediations (Visual Culture) at Carleton University and will look at the presence of guest/host protocols within Indigenous methodological practices with a focus on visual art in Canada.
READ THE EXHIBITION BROCHURE
GALLERY HOURS
Monday - Friday between 1:00 and 4:00 pm from June 20 until August 5, 2022 (closed July 1 & August 1).
AFFILIATED EVENT
June 20 at 12:00 pm in Gallery 1C03
Join us for a conversation with artists Mark Bennett and Mark Igloliorte and curator Franchesca Hebert-Spence.
June 20 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Aabijijiwan New Media Lab
3rd floor, 599 Portage Avenue
Join us for a reception to celebrate Mark Bennett and Mark Igloliorte, Aabijijiwan's artists in residence. We will demo new immersive work, Augmented Reality, 3D printing, student curated vitrines, and games with some great company, food and drinks.
GETTING HERE AND ACCESSIBILITY
Maps of The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ campus, including accessibility and parking maps, can be found here. Visitor entrance to Gallery 1C03 is via Centennial Hall which is equipped with auto-door openers. Doors are locked and and visitors must press the intercom button and state that they are here to visit the Gallery. Upon entering, sign in at the Security desk. The gallery is just down the hall and our doors will be propped open when open for viewing. There is a gender-neutral, accessible washroom less than 100 feet from the Gallery entrance. Visitors are asked to wear masks while indoors on campus. Mask use is required while indoors on campus.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Gallery 1C03 is on Treaty 1 Territory. We are located on the territories of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation. Our water is sourced from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation.
Gallery 1C03 gratefully acknowledges financial assistance for katinngak from Auviqsaqtut, The Space Between Us, Aabijijiwan Media Lab and Kishaadigeh Collaborative Research Centre, Inuit Futures in Arts Leadership.