Gallery exhibit explores themes of reconciliation
Shining a light on Indigenous issues was artist Donna Langhorne’s goal when she created her seven-painting series entitled Truth and Reconciliation.
With support from a Saskatchewan Arts Board grant, Langhorne said she was busy last year in her Air Ronge studio getting the series ready for the exhibition, which is currently on display at the gallery at Mistasinihk Place. Langhorne, who was adopted, said she was surprised six years ago to learn that her birth mother attended a residential school. Langhorne began researching the topic as soon as she made the discovery, and said the resulting painting quickly grew into a series.
“I just couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard of it before,” she said. “I felt I should do a painting about it, then I started looking into other Indigenous issues like the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.”
Each of the seven paintings in the series features a different animal symbol, Langhorne said, as well as a theme based on the Seven Sacred Teachings including courage, honesty, humility, love, respect, truth and wisdom. The paintings are done in a Woodlands art style which she began using two years ago, Langhorne said.