Newsletter 2—December 2024
Tansi, Hello, Oh Hi,
This month has been hectic to say the least. Marrow’s teething started 24 hours before we were supposed to board a flight to Calgary, for the opening of Sticks and Thorns at Norberg Hall. My mom and Marrow were set to join me but at the last possible minute I canceled their flights because Marrow was in such agony. For the past month this hasn't really subsided. Dude has pushed four teeth through, and I think there are two more but he wont let us get close to his mouth. Poor lil’ guy.
I have also been navigating some censorship with an upcoming exhibition. I have a new body of work that I will be showing at the end of January and the title refers to the genocide taking place in Palestine. The curators have been working really hard to advocate for my voice and honest representation of the work but the institution is firm that even the mention of Israel and Palestine is too contentious and creates a liability. This has been a very disheartening experience, knowing that so many lives are being taken and then not being able to show solidarity through art is gut wrenching. I have much more to say about this but I’m still processing…
Sticks and Thorns Opening
Sticks and Thorns was so wonderful, Shannon and Jarvis are amazing hosts, and it was so nice to meet Haley Bassett and Dr. Kaitlyn Purcell, who wrote the essay for the exhibition. Calgary has a beautiful, supportive arts community and it was lovely to meet and visit with folks.
You can view additional installation images here → https://www.carrie-allison.com/exhibition#/sticksthorns/
In the Studio
Much of my studio time has been thinking and planning the next few months. I have two studio assistants who have been helping me with the grass work. We are currently working on some sculptural beadworks that will be displayed on the wall with 5’ long fringe. These fringes are so time consuming. One fringe takes me about 30 minutes to make, so my studio assistants, Kate and Anna, will be helping me tackle these so they are ready in time for the Grande Prairie exhibition. I’m kind of dreading the next few months making these but I’m also super excited to see them come together. This project is supported by Arts Nova Scotia and Canada Council for the Arts.
Speaking about planning, not sure if any of you are organizational freaks like me but one thing I love is a good planner. I take great pleasure in planning my year and time (usually dreaming of taking time off, but it hasn't worked out so far…) with upcoming exhibitions, projects, and travel. I use both a physical planner and a digital calendar, with two daily tasks lists (my computer’s ‘reminders’ where I usually put things like ‘vacuum studio’ or ‘buy beads’ and the other is my gmail task list, where I stay on top of emails (or at least plan to…)
Here’s a link to my favourite planner: → https://www.hemlockandoak.com/products/2025-minimalist-planner-b5 I like this company because they are small and Canadian based and their planners are beautiful.
Anyway if folks are interested in organizational stuff I’m always down to chat more about it.
Image of my studio table making fringe.
IOTA GIFT PACK
Also this month, Christmas! I’ve never really been a Christmas girly. Before my partner and I had our kids we didn't put up decorations or a tree and normally we both just spent the holiday working. But after kids slowly I have been getting more into it. It’s fun and exciting to see them (or rather Shy, he’s 3, Marrow is a bit too young) get excited. This year I bought an advent calendar to fill up. We put some treats, small toys, and sometimes a piece of paper with an experience on it (like going to the park, pool, or getting a donut (his absolute favorite)). Speaking of gifts, IOTA and I collaborated on some small gift packs for folks. Please take a look and get some for your family and friends :)
IOTA Artist’s Market → https://gallery.iotainstitute.com/products/small-abundance-sticker-pack
Here’s a little example of small abundance in my kids play room, along with a very weird array of animals :)
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
Sticks and Thorns at Norberg Hall in Calgary, AB → https:// https://norberghall.com/exhibitions/
Upcoming Exhibitions
I look forward to showing new work in the group exhibition ASCENDING HORIZONS, opening at McMaster University Art Gallery in January 2025. Participating artists also include KC Adams, Judy Anderson, Hannah Claus, Elizabeth Doxtator, Charlene Vickers and Marie Watt →https://museum.mcmaster.ca/exhibition/ascending-horizons/
The new works are part of a growing series exploring world-building through collaboration. The photo-based artists and I worked closely to develop each piece in the series.
Our collaboration draws on Leanne Betasamosake Simpson’s 2021 text A Short History of the Blockade, in which Simpson relates beaver dams to activist blockades as methods for disrupting capital and colonial state agendas. The use of beaver fur is inspired by this keystone relative who builds dams to build worlds and supports a multitude of life forms. The project honours traditional mark making (on the body and on/with the land) and celebrates seasons and cycles (body and land).