Tide Lines

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Gerry Ambers, "Sardis Fish-in," 1970

courtesy of Gerry Ambers

Tide Lines

Beginning August 2022 and continuing into the new year, Open Space Elder-in-Residence Gerry Ambers will lead Tide Lines, a project focused on the intersections of Indigenous art and activism across the Pacific Northwest Coast region during the 1960s and 1970s, and how these two realms continue to influence each other. Significantly, Tide Lines supports the Elder-in-Residence’s long-standing desire to bring together a group of Elder artists activists from this time period and who were active in the Native Alliance for Red Power (N.A.R.P) between 1967-1977, increases the visibility of the important political and artistic contributions from this cohort and documents these histories for current and future generations to learn from.

Tide Lines comprises three primary components: a gathering, an exhibition and a publication. The one-day gathering will host approximately 30 Elders from across Vancouver Island, adjacent islands, coastal communities and Washington State, many of whom were artists before, during and/or after this specific time period. Minimizing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and maximizing cultural safety, the gathering will be closed to the public. It will include a memorial for those who were involved and have since passed away. The backbone of the exhibition is a visual timeline, built over time, beginning August 8, 2022 and will be presented at Open Space as a “living” exhibition. It will include photos, notes, newspaper clippings, video and ephemera contributed by the gathering participants. 

Also watch for the parallel exhibition organized by Gerry Ambers, Marianne Nicolson and Siku Allooloo at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria in November 2022.

Image : Sardis Fish-in, 1970, courtesy of Gerry Ambers

Join us on Friday, December 9 from 6-9pm in person for a seasonal gathering. Light refreshments will be provided!