Daphne (artist-run centre)
| Established | 2020 |
|---|---|
| Location | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Type | Artist-run centre |
| Founder | Skawennati, Caroline Monnet, Hannah Claus and Nadia Myre |
| Director | Lori Beavis |
daphne is an Indigenous artist-run centre in Montreal, Quebec, dedicated to contemporary First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and other Indigenous art.[1]
History
The centre was founded in 2020 by Indigenous artists Nadia Myre, Skawennati, Hannah Claus, and Caroline Monnet.[2] It is named in honour of Odawa-Potawatomi artist Daphne Odjig,[1] and is the first Indigenous artist-run centre in the province of Quebec.[3]
In fall 2020, Anishinaabe curator Lori Beavis was appointed as daphne’s first director. She described its mission as being a gathering place centred on the work of Indigenous artists.[4]
The opening of the physical space was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the centre launched virtually with artist talks and bead nights before officially opening to the public in May 2021.[5]
Exhibitions
daphne’s inaugural exhibition, Parure (2021), featured the work of Wendat artist Teharihulen Michel Savard. The show included silver and copper jewellery, ceremonial headdresses, and mixed-media portraits combining traditional Wendat forms with contemporary materials such as electronic circuitry.[5][6] The exhibition paid tribute to 19th-century Wendat artist and chief Teharihulen Zacharie Vincent, situating Savard’s practice in a continuum of Wendat cultural expression.[1]
Subsequent exhibitions have included work by Ilnu artist Sonia Robertson, Kanien’kehá:ka artist Kaia'tanó:ron Dumoulin Bush, and Atikamekw artist Catherine Boivin.[5] In 2024, the centre presented Kū‘ē me ke aloha (Resist with Love), a solo exhibition by Native Hawaiian artist Solomon Robert Nui Enos, marking the first time daphne showcased the work of an artist from outside Canada.[7] The exhibition was curated by Skawennati.
References
- ^ a b c Dunlevy, T'Cha (19 November 2020). "Introducing daphne, Montreal's first Indigenous artist-run centre". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ Cucchi, Maud (7 January 2021). "Daphne, le tout premier centre d'artistes autogéré par des Autochtones, au Québec" [Daphne, the very first artist-run centre run by Indigenous people in Quebec]. Radio Canada (in French). Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ Monpetit, Caroline (30 December 2020). "Le Centre d'art daphne pour bâtir des ponts" [The daphne art centre for building bridges]. Le Devoir (in French). Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ Graff, Julie (29 September 2020). ""A Space for Artists to Find Strength in Community": Interview with Lori Beavis, Director of Centre d'art daphne". Vie des Arts. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Deer, Ka’nhehsí:io (15 May 2021). "Montreal's 1st Indigenous arts centre opens with exhibition by Wendat artist". CBC News. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ Dunlevy, T’Cha (17 May 2021). "Indigenous identity explored in first exhibition at Montreal's Daphne". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "A exhibit at Daphne art centre teaching to resist with love". CBC Radio. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.