In Conversation with Rose Bouthillier, Shirley Moorhouse and Zadie Xa

Join guest curator Rose Bouthillier and artists Shirley Moorhouse, and Zadie Xa as they come together in conversation to reflect on process, collaboration, and the role of relationship in contemporary practice.

Rose Bouthillier, who has curated exhibitions with both Shirley Moorhouse and Zadie Xa, engages with the artists as they discuss making, research, and points of connection between their exhibitions.

Shirley Moorhouse’s textile-based, mixed-media practice is grounded in land, memory, and cultural continuity, while Zadie Xa’s immersive, multidisciplinary work explores spirituality, mythology, and diasporic identity.

is an independent curator based in Maberly, NL. Throughout her career, her focus has been on working closely with artists to develop and present new projects, promoting under-recognized voices and creating thoughtful inter-generational dialogues.

(b. Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Nunatsiavut; 1955 -) is a highly respected member of the national arts community. Her work has been featured in exhibitions such as the 2023 Bonavista Biennale (Bonavista Peninsula, NL), INUA: Inuit Nunangat Ungammmuaktut Atautikkut (Inuit Moving Forward Together), (Qaumajuq/Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2020); and SakKijâjuk: Art and Craft from Nunatsiavut (2017), a nationally traveling exhibition that originated at The Rooms.

has developed an expansive practice that addresses the nature of diasporic identities, global histories, familial legacies, and interspecies communication. For her, art offers a means to analyse socio-political conditions and cultural behaviours through a lens of masquerade, play, costuming, and storytelling.

Images:

Shirley Moorhouse, Canadian Sovereignty of the Northern Lights #1, 2005. Collection of the artist

Zadie Xa, Muscle Memory, Vision Quest, 2024.Courtesy of the artist and Thaddaeus Ropac. Photo by: Eva Herzog

Respect and Inclusion

By registering for this Program you agree to co-create, in collaboration with Esker Staff, Artists and Volunteers, an atmosphere of mutual inclusion and respect for all persons. This includes speaking, acting and behaving in a way that is absent of violence, harassment, racism, intimidation, bullying or discrimination of any kind regardless of, and not limited to gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, culture, age and ability. This includes in online/digital forums.

Media Consent

By participating in a program or event at Esker Foundation you consent to having Recordings taken (images, photographs, videos, audio recordings or other media) of yourself and/or your dependent(s) to be included in Esker Foundation’s Recordings Bank. This is a collection of Recordings intended to showcase the gallery’s activities, primarily for archival and reporting purposes. They may also be used for promotional purposes: on Esker Foundation’s website, social media or marketing materials. Esker Foundation will not use these Recordings for commercial purposes. Participants will be notified when Recordings are being taken, and may always opt out on the day of the program.

Should you require any support, or have any questions, please reach out to: programs - @ - eskerfoundation.com

Info: Guests can enter the gallery during our regular weekend hours before the talk at 1pm. We recommend arriving 10-15min early.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Esker Foundation, 1011, 9th Ave SE, Calgary, Canada

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