By Derek Cornet

Gallery exhibit explores themes of reconciliation

Jan 16, 2018 | 7:00 AM

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.

The artist said the series is very personal, but it’s important for the stories to be told.

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“I wanted to put the issues into the light because I felt they were swept under the rug for far too long,” she said. “The only way to reconciliation is truth-telling, talking about it and getting it out there. We should never stop talking about it.”

Langhorne said she has had positive feedback about the series so far, and several residential school survivors have expressed their thanks. Teachers have also approached Langhorne to let her know they have taken their students to the gallery to see the series, she said.

Although Langhorne’s exhibit was originally meant to be displayed only during the month of November, the exhibition was extended. The paintings will remain on display until the end of January.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno