Made In Alberta

This wall piece is a whimsical portrait of Alberta, the sort of thing you might find in a souvenir shop. The shirt represents hard work, protection from the elements, practicality, the Western cowboy aesthetic. One shirt sleeve is stitched with buttons as snowflakes, the mountains are a distant mysterious horizon, hares appear everywhere, the wild rose symbolizes the beauty of the landscape. Nature is not always nurturing. The Covid 19 virus, another of nature’s wonders, looms and threatens our home and our survival, while arms hold us to the past in the present. We remember our Indigenous forebearers and our culpable relationship with them. Alberta is a complex mix of history and geography, imagined and created by the people who live here. 

Inspiration: Royal Alberta Museum 

Exhibition: Craft Perspectives showcases new works inspired by historical objects, archival collections, and cultural artifacts found across the province. Artists have delved into museum vaults, explored archival treasures, and uncovered forgotten stories—reimagining them through the lens of contemporary Craft.