MacKenzie Art Gallery Receives Endowment Award

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Catherine Blackburn x Emily Jan, “Ancestor Dreamin',” 2022

unsmoked caribou hide, vintage and antique micro glass seed beads, contemporary seed beads, gold-plated seed beads, caribou hair tufting, rhinestone chain, genuine pearls, dye-sublimated printed satin backing, Swarovski bicones, faceted crystal pendants, hand-dyed rooster feather fringe, gold-plated chain and findings, thermoplastic, resin, genuine leather, gold leaf, 26" x 16" x 44" (photo by Tira Howard Photography)

The MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina has received this year's York Wilson Endowment Award from the Canada Council for the Arts, allowing the purchase of Ancestor Dreamin', a 2022 collaboration between Catherine Blackburn and Emily Jan.

The work, which includes beading, caribou hide, crystal pendants and rooster-feather fringe, explores culture and family histories, with a specific emphasis on grandmothers. 

Saskatchewan-born Blackburn, of Dene and European ancestry, is a member of English River First Nation. A multidisciplinary artist, she often addresses themes related to Canada's colonial history.

Jan is based in Edmonton and has an MFA from Concordia University in Montreal. She creates intricate hyper-realistic installations of found objects and handmade items.

The award, worth up to $30,000, allows non-profit museums and public art galleries to purchase original works by  contemporary artists from Canada.  

Source: Canada Council for the Arts