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Opening Reception: Thursday, October 24, 2024
Listen to this clip from Jeff Thomas on the piece My Buffalo Creek / Cold City Frieze, 2024
“[The exhibition is in part] the culmination of my four decades as a photo-based storyteller and incorporating new technology as an element. I am focused on mining my archive of personal work and my research archive to build what I call post-reserve stories.” — Jeff Thomas (Rolfe 2023)
In this exhibition we explore the critical and creative practices of Jeff Thomas, Urban-Iroquois photographer, curator, activist, and cultural theorist. We consider his artistic process, exploring how artist proofs, archives and a brand-new series titled Dream Panels, reflect Thomas’ authorship of his experience on this land, regardless of government designations, in resistance, reflection and activism.
Starting in 1980, Thomas began making art that countered the exclusion of Indigenous histories, experiences, sovereignties and origins, in urban spaces like his hometown of Buffalo, NY. His early works included street photography and portraits of his son, Bear. Thomas began mapping the erasures and continuities of Indigenous knowledge by building complex narratives that recontextualize archival prints by colonial photographers like Edward S. Curtis and William James Topley.
The breadth and scope of Thomas’ oeuvre reflects his generative curiosity and the interconnectedness he sees in place and time. In Dream Panels, he revisits his past 40 years of art making, examining his core concerns. These panels reveal that themes of Indigenous masculinity, disability, fatherhood and relationships between land, his ancestors and family have remained central to his rigorous practice.
The National Gallery of Canada (NGC) and the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) are engaged in a unique partnership to support the agency, self-determination and cultural sovereignty of Indigenous artists, cultural producers and communities.
Curators: Rachelle Dickenson, PhD (National Gallery of Canada), Hanako Hubbard-Radulovich, Victoria Pelky (Carleton University)
Exhibition Design: elsonstudio
Technical Team: Jennifer Gilliland, Stephanie Germano, Dan Austin, Rob Keefe, Mark Garland, Neil Hossack
Editors: Matt Harrison, Véronique Couillard
Graphic Design: Leah Ross, Mathieu Kirchmayer
French Translation: Louise Saint-André, Marie-Camille Lalande
Didactic Printing: Optima
Printing of Dream Panels: Dave Andrews, Digital Art & Restoration. With support from the Canada Council of the Arts
The Ottawa Art Gallery would like to recognize RBC Foundation’s support of the OAG’s Connect: Artist Mentorship Program, and acknowledge the support of the City of Ottawa, the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.
Ammaturo, Enrica. “‘Urban Iroquois’ Photographer Jeff Thomas Feels He’s Finally Kept the Promise He Made 40 Years Ago.” CBC Radio (blog), March 18, 2019. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/monday-march-18-2019-johnny-marr-jeff-thomas-and-more-1.5058074/urban-iroquois-photographer-jeff-thomas-feels-he-s-finally-kept-the-promise-he-made-40-years-ago-1.5058100.
Art Canada Institute – Institut de l’art canadien. “Jeff Thomas.” Art Canada Institute – Institut de l’art canadien. Accessed Dec. 6, 2023. https://www.aci-iac.ca/art-books/photography-in-canada-1839-1989/key-photographers/jeff-thomas.
Ashley, Susan L. T. Diverse Spaces: Identity, Heritage and Community in Canadian Public Culture. Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2013.
Basciano, Rebecca, Jim Burant, Catherine Sinclair, Michelle Gewurtz, and Ottawa Art Gallery. Àdisòkàmagan: mazinadisigewin Ottawang ashidj tenagadonj Gatineau = Nous connaître un peu nous-mêmes : un panorama de l’art de la région d’Ottawa-Gatineau = We’ll all become stories : a survey of art in the Ottawa-Gatineau Region. Vancouver: Figure 1 Publishing, 2017.
Beard, Laura J., and Ricia Anne Chansky. The Divided States: Unraveling National Identities in the Twenty-First Century. Wisconsin Studies in Autobiography. Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press, 2022.
Bodies in Translation. “Jeff Thomas,” Feb. 4, 2021. https://bodiesintranslation.ca/jeff-thomas/.
brunt gallery. “Jeff Thomas: A Study of Indian-Ness,” Jan. 6, 2006. https://bruntmag.com/issue2/thomas.html.
Bulger Gallery. “Jeff Thomas – Publications.” Stephen Bulger Gallery. Accessed Jan. 19, 2024. https://www.bulgergallery.com/artists/112-jeff-thomas/publications/.
Chartrand, Rhéanne. “Native Indian/Inuit Photographers’ Association (NIIPA).” Building Cultural Legacies Hamilton (blog). Accessed March 25, 2024. https://buildingculturallegacies.ca/artist/native-indian-inuit-photographers-association-niipa/.
Chartrand, Rhéanne, Gerald McMaster, Janet Catherine Berlo, Paul Chaat Smith, Jeff Thomas, Leonard Baskin, Fritz Scholder, and McMaster Museum of Art. Peripheral Vision(s): Perspectives on the “Indian” Image by 19th Century Northern Plains Warrior-Artists and 20th Century American Artists Leonard Baskin and Fritz Scholder. Hamilton: McMaster Museum of Art, 2019.
Cronin, J. Keri, and Kirsty Robertson. Imagining Resistance: Visual Culture and Activism in Canada. Cultural Studies Series. Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2010.
———. “Monumental Inter Ventions: Jeff Thomas Seizes Commemorative Space.” In Imagining Resistance. Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2011.
Crowston, Catherine, et al. Face the Nation: KC Adams, Lori Blondeau, Dana Claxton, Terrance Houle, Maria Hupfield, Kent Monkman, Adrian Stimson, Jeff Thomas. Art Gallery of Alberta, 2008.
Dewar, Jonathan, and Ayumi Goto. “Reconcile This!” West Coast Line. Burnaby: West Coast Line, Simon Fraser University, 2012.
Embassy Cultural House. “Jeff Thomas.” 2020. https://www.embassyculturalhouse.ca/jeff-thomas.html.
Evans, Brad, and Aaron Glass. Return to the Land of the Head Hunters: Edward S. Curtis, the Kwaka’wakw, and the Making of Modern Cinema. Native Art of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2014.
Flavelle, Genevieve. “Sovereign Acts II.” C : International Contemporary Art, no. 134 (2017): 66-.
Francis, Margot. Creative Subversions: Whiteness, Indigeneity and the National Imaginary. Books Collection. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2011.
Garneau, David. “Bob Boyer and Jeff Thomas [“Bob Boyer: Local Hero.” Dunlop Art Gallery, Regina] [“Jeff Thomas: A Study of Indian-Ness.” Sherwood Village Gallery, Regina].” Border Crossings, 24, no. 2 (2005): 108.
Gérin, Annie. Public Art in Canada: Critical Perspectives. Edited by Annie Gérin and James S. McLean. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2009. https://doi.org/10.3138/9781442697522.
Greer, Joan, Tom Cull, Amelia Fay, and Andrés Villar. “GardenShip and State.” GardenShip, 2021. https://www.gardenship.ca.
Harnett, Tanya, and Jeff Thomas. “A Conversation with Tanya Harnett and Jeff Thomas.” Auto/Biography Studies 31, no. 3 (2016): 445–63. https://doi.org/10.1080/08989575.2016.1184548.
———. “TANYA HARNETT & JEFF THOMAS: Urban Spaces.” OCICIWAN CONTEMPORARY ART CENTRE, Oct. 18, 2016. http://www.ociciwan.ca/project-4.
Henry, Victoria, and Shelley Niro. “From Icebergs to Iced Tea, 1994”. Thunder Bay Art Gallery, a National Exhibition Centre and Centre for Indian Art, 1994.
Hickey, Carolyn. “Jeff Thomas, Indians on Tour – La salle du cartographe autochtone.” Ciel variable (2003), no. 120 (2022): 24–37.
Hill, Lynn A. “AlterNative: Contemporary Photo Compositions.” Kleinburg: McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 1995.
Hill, Richard William. “Jeff Thomas: A Study of Indian-Ness.” Toronto: Gallery 44 and YYZ Books, 2006.
Jacob, Luis. “Form Follows Fiction: Art and Artists in Toronto.” Toronto: Art Museum at the University of Toronto, 2020.
Jansma, Linda, et al. “Visitor Information: Lise Beaudry, Michèle Pearson Clarke, Martie Giefert, Morris Lum, Jeff Thomas.” Oshawa: The Robert McLaughlin Gallery, 2017.
Kristoff, Olivia, and Leah Taylor. “Depth of Field with Joi Arcand, Lori Blondeau, Mary Longman, Jane Ash Poitras, and Jeff Thomas,” Jan. 3, 2022. https://wanuskewin.com/event/depth-of-field/.
Kunard, Andrea. Photography in Canada, 1960-2000. Ottawa: National Gallery of Canada, 2016.
Lauzon, Claudette. “Monumental Interventions: Jeff Thomas Seizes Commemorative Space – Carleton University.” In Imagining Resistance: Visual Culture and Activism in Canada, Waterloo: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2010.
Lavoie, Emilie Grace. “Sovereign Acts.” Visual Arts News (blog), Sept. 1, 2019. https://visualartsnews.ca/2019/09/sovereign-acts/.
Library and Archives Canada Blog. “Guest Curator: Jeff Thomas.” Library and Archives Canada Blog (blog), July 6, 2017. https://thediscoverblog.com/2017/07/06/guest-curator-jeff-thomas/.
Liu, Jennifer. “Curating Living Cultures.” First Nations, First Hand Art (blog). Accessed Dec. 6, 2023. https://cusjc.ca/mrp/artsyfn/curating-living-cultures/.
Logan, Marty. “‘Demeaning’ Statue to Be Removed at AFN’s Request.” Windspeaker (Edmonton), 1996.
Lola M. “Jeff Thomas.” Widewalls, March 14, 2016. https://www.widewalls.ch/artists/jeff-thomas.
Mahon, Patrick, and Jeff Thomas. “GardenShip and State: The Exhibition.” GardenShip, Jan. 7, 2022. https://www.gardenship.ca/exhibition.
Marchessault, Janine and Markham Museum. Land Slide: Possible Futures. Toronto: PUBLIC Books, 2015.
Martin, Lee-Ann, and Jeff Thomas. “In conversation with Lee-Ann Martin & Jeff Thomas,” July 15, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XPDiaUkY7Y.
McMaster Museum of Art, “UNAPOLOGETIC: Acts of Survivance.” McMaster Museum of Art (blog). Accessed Aug. 1, 2024. https://museum.mcmaster.ca/exhibition/unapologetic-acts-of-survivance/.
Migwans, Mikinaak, Maria Hupfeild, and Syrus Marcus Ware. “Monuments, Movements, and the Photography of Jeff Thomas.” Art Museum at the University of Toronto, Sept. 1, 2020. https://artmuseum.utoronto.ca/virtual-spotlight/monuments-movements-and-the-photography-of-jeff-thomas/.
Mitten, Brenda. “Visions”: an exhibition of contemporary native photography organized by the Native Indian & Inuit Photographers’ Association. Hamilton: NIIPA, 1985.
Nanibush, Wanda, Peggy Gale, Jim Shedden, Bojana Stancic, and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Toronto: “Tributes + Tributaries, 1971–1989 = Gchi-Oodenaang : Ezhi-Mina-Waajimong Eni-Naabiischigeng”. Toronto: Art Gallery of Ontario, 2018.
National Post. “Jeff Thomas’s Three Decades of ‘Bear Portraits’ Trace the Evolution of His Son from Child to Grown up Member of A Tribe Called Red.” National Post (Toronto), Aug. 12, 2015. https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/music/jeff-thomass-three-decades-of-bear-portraits-trace-the-evolution-of-his-son-from-child-to-grown-up-member-of-a-tribe-called-red.
National Gallery of Canada. “Artist Interview: Jeff Thomas,” 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4EMZIn2YFk.
National Gallery of Canada. “Sakàhan Artist Interview: Jeff Thomas,” 2013. https://www.gallery.ca/magazine/artists/national-gallery-of-canada-artist-interview-jeff-thomas.
Parker, Judith. “Many Guises: Contemporary Self-Portraits = De multiples facettes : autoportraits contemporains.” Ottawa: Bytown Museum = Musée Bytown, 2010.
Power, Tom. “‘Urban Iroquois’ Photographer Jeff Thomas Feels He’s Finally Kept the Promise He Made 40 Years Ago.” CBC Radio (blog), March 18, 2019. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/monday-march-18-2019-johnny-marr-jeff-thomas-and-more-1.5058074/urban-iroquois-photographer-jeff-thomas-feels-he-s-finally-kept-the-promise-he-made-40-years-ago-1.5058100.
Pyne, Stephanie, and Jeff Thomas. “Mapping Jeff Thomas Mapping.” In Modern Cartography Series, 8:57–100. Elsevier, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815343-7.00003-8.
Recreation, Cultural and Facility Services. “White Corn (from the series Where the Rivers Meet),” July 21, 2022. https://ottawa.ca/en/arts-heritage-and-events/public-art-and-city-ottawa-art-collection/city-ottawa-art-collection/art-search/white-corn-series-where-rivers-meet.
Re•Vision: The Centre for Art and Social Justice. “About – BODIES IN TRANSLATION.” Accessed Jan. 19, 2024. https://bodiesintranslation.ca/bodies-in-translation/.
Rice, Ryan, Ottawa Art Gallery, and Aboriginal Curatorial Collective. “Kwah Í:Ken Tsi Iroquois = Oh so Iroquois = Tellement Iroquois.” Ottawa: Art Gallery = Galerie d’art d’Ottawa, 2008.
Robb, Peter. “Ottawa’s Urban Iroquois Jeff Thomas Honoured with Governor General’s Award for Visual Arts.” ARTSFILE. Accessed Dec. 6, 2023. https://artsfile.ca/ottawas-urban-iroquois-jeff-thomas-honoured-with-governor-generals-award-for-visual-arts/.
Rolfe, Matthew. “Jeff Thomas’s Urban Vision.” Foyer: Art and Culture News from Canada and Beyond, Sept 27, 2023. https://readfoyer.com/article/jeff-thomass-urban-vision.
Sabet, Aseman. “Jeff Thomas. Reclaiming One’s History in Public Space.” Espace Art Actuel (blog), May 15, 2014. https://espaceartactuel.com/en/reclaiming-ones-history-in-public-space/.
Saxberg, Lynn. “Ottawa Photographer Jeff Thomas Receives GG Award for Visual Art.” Ottawa Citizen, March 2019. https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/local-arts/ottawas-jeff-thomas-receives-gg-award-for-visual-art.
Snyder, Leah. “JEFF THOMAS – The L. Project.” Accessed Dec. 6, 2023. https://thelproject.ca/portfolio/jeff-thomas/.
Szikora, Erin. “Visual Sovereignty and the Making of NIIPA: Tracing an Archival History of the Native Indian/Inuit Photographers’ Association (1985–2005/2006).” Master of Art. Toronto: OCAD University, 2020.
Tangled Art + Disability. “Crip Times Episode 5 – The Jeff Thomas Episode. Tangled Art + Disability.” Tangled Art + Disability (blog). Accessed Dec. 6, 2023. https://tangledarts.org/whats-on/crip-times-episode-5-the-jeff-thomas-episode/.
Taylor, D. R. F., and Stephanie Pyne. Cybercartography in a Reconciliation Community: Engaging Intersecting Perspectives. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2019.
Thomas, Jeff et al. Urban Myths: Aboriginal Artists in the City = Mythes urbains vus par les artistes autochtones. Karsh -Masson Gallery, 2000.
Thomas, Jeff. “An Interview with Jeff Thomas about ‘Buffalo Robe’ Standing in Front of the Louvre.” Mouvances Francophones 6, no. 2 (2021). https://doi.org/10.5206/mf.v6i2.13704.
———. Drive by: A Road Trip with Jeff Thomas. Toronto: University of Toronto Art Centre, 2008.
———. “Father’s Day: The Missing Conversation.” West Coast Line. Burnaby: Simon Fraser University, 2012.
———. Get to know Jeff Thomas – JW OTT Web App. Accessed Dec. 6, 2023. https://amiplus.ca/m/V26IOy4h/get-to-know-jeff-thomas.
———. “Ground Zero: The Bear Portraits.” Photography & Culture 10, no. 2 (2017): 181–92. https://doi.org/10.1080/17514517.2017.1321293.
———. “Jeff Thomas: Where Are You From?” Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival, June 30, 2021. https://www.scotiabankcontactphoto.com/2022/core/jeff-thomas-where-are-you-from.
———. “MAPPING IROQUOIA.” Google My Maps. Accessed Jan. 19, 2024. https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=13m4TIWGs-WLHsAlSdh3OqbzAKosPjGDO.
———. “Peace Day Concert Celebrates Indigenous Culture, Land Acknowledgement Statement.” UWIRE Text, 2021.
———. “Resistance Is NOT Futile.” Canada NewsWire (Ottawa), PR Newswire Association LLC, 2012. https://search.proquest.com/docview/1178830975?pq-origsite=primo.
———. “STRONG HEARTS: MY JOURNEY WITH BIRDMAN.” Google My Maps, Oct. 10, 2023. https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1xdjcarHaa7CDM_SRvCpR2uC9FW23Ks_4.
———. “We Are Still Here.” BlackFlash Magazine (blog), Dec. 12, 2018. https://blackflash.ca/2018/12/12/feature-we-are-still-here-by-jeff-thomas/.
Weinhart, Martina, Georgiana Uhlyarik, Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, and Kunsthal Rotterdam. Magnetic North: Imagining Canada in Painting 1910–1940. Frankfurt: Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, 2021.
Williscraft, Sarah. “Ottawa’s Jeff Thomas Found a Second Life on His Artistic Journey.” Capital Current (blog), April 24, 2019. https://capitalcurrent.ca/ottawas-jeff-thomas-found-a-second-life-on-his-artistic-journey/.
Wong, Alice. “Ep 51: Disabled Artists.” Disability Visibility Project, May 19, 2019. https://disabilityvisibilityproject.com/2019/05/19/ep-51-disabled-artists/.
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