Join us for an artist talk and in conversation with artist nichola feldman-kiss and OAG Deputy Director, Chief Curator, Catherine Sinclair.

Location: Jackson Cafe, level 0

Activism in nichola feldman-kiss’ artworks is toward the understanding of one’s own body as a place of history. Their artworks commingle pasts with presents as poetic portals into experiences of everyday contemporary folks who bear the brunt of Colonial world order. feldman-kiss is a first-generation Canadian of the Caribbean diaspora and a repatriated citizen of Germany and Jamaica. Their ancestral lineage includes those who adventured, forced, got entangled, profited, and endured migrations across oceans and continents.

This conversation, presented in the context of feldman-kiss’ installation, After Africa (2012), currently on view at the OAG, will touch upon this seminal work, dive into feldman-kiss’ broader practice, and speak to the artist’s recent projects.

Please note this event will be in English, and while free-of-charge, pre-registration is appreciated. REGISTER HERE

Speakers

nichola feldman-kiss, photo courtesy of the artist. 

nichola feldman-kiss  creates across disciplines with emphasis on relational, lens, and hybrid media technologies presented as social engagement, institution intervention, and public installation. In the 25 years since obtaining their MFA from California Institute of the Arts, nichola has built a rigorous and well respected critical art practice. Their art and technology innovations and institution interventions have been hosted by the National Research Council of Canada, the Ottawa Hospital Eye Institute, the Department of National Defence, and the United Nations, among others. Born, raised and having raised family in Ottawa (Odawa), the artist now lives and works between Toronto (Tkaronto) and coastal Newfoundland (Ktaqmkuk), where they are pursuing artistic engagement with the Atlantic Ocean. after Africa, part of the OAG’s Permanent Collection, was included in the OAG’s 2015 mid-career retrospective exhibition, nichola feldman-kiss witness / témoin.

Catherine Sinclair (Photo: André Rozon) 

Catherine Sinclair is Deputy Director, Chief Curator at the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG). At the OAG since 2006, she curates work by artists from the Ottawa–Gatineau region, Canada, and beyond. She has worked with nichola feldman-kiss for over 10 years, since co-curating their mid-career solo exhibition witness / témoin with Michelle Gewurtz at the OAG in 2015. She has presented at the University Art Association Conference and the Canadian Women Artists History Initiative Conference, and has published in The Journal of Curatorial Studies (2018, co-author) and esse arts + opinions (2019). She has participated twice in the AAMC Foundation Engagement Program for International Curators (2017–2019 and 2021–2022).

Cover Image : nichola feldman-kiss \ after Africa, “So long, Farewell” (sunset) / a yard of ashes (continuous cross dissolve) / “Oh! How I hate to get up in the morning!” (sunrise) (detail) 2011-2013, durational performance — 3 channel audio / video installation. Collection of the Ottawa Art Gallery: purchased with the support of the Stonecroft Foundation and the OAG Endowment Fund, 2021. Installation at the Ottawa Art Gallery, 2023. Photo: Rémi Thériault.