Exhibit Review: ‘wawisihcikan – adornment’ at FAB Gallery

Wawisihcikan – adornment, curated by MJ Belcourt, is a celebration of Indigenous craftsmanship and culture. The exhibit features the work of three Indigenous artists, and shines a bright light on the immense skill and care required to create practical yet beautiful objects of elegance.

Métis artist Carmen Miller used caribou tufting and beads to create Earrings. The earrings are teardrop-shaped mirror images with loose trails and round, fluffy petals. It looks almost as if the earrings are pillows with dangling threads. There is not a single stitch out of place. 

Miller’s Split Toe Moccasins and Tufted Cuff are also soft and floral. The softness of the moccasins’ material makes the shoes appear light and buoyant, yet the pair are not fragile or delicate — quite the opposite. The tight stitches and crisp adornments are held firmly together, creating a sense of durability through craftsmanship. It is a delightfully cozy pair of sturdy shoes.  

In Clutch Purse, Miller uses empty space to steer attention to a cluster of flower ornaments. Here, the flowers truly act as “adornment” in every sense of the word. It is a subtle touch that makes a world of difference.

Teetł’it Gwich’in artist Elaine Alexie utilizes antique beads and silver elements. A’tthan, Dinvi’ and moosehorn necklace/silverberry earrings set combines organic shapes with uniform bead patterns of earthly colours. The necklace preserves a sense of unfinished rawness — the beads are not quite in line, and the moose horns seem rough. This rawness creates elegance.

On the other hand, Alexie’s Ditsuu A’Tan Ky’uu Gaonahtan – Grandmothers teachings through flowers signature necklace is bright and vivid. The flowers reminded me of springtime and changing seasons. The reference to “grandmothers teachings” drove home this idea of seasonality and time. I imagined a grandmother teaching her granddaughter about her land, generation after generation. The flowers in the necklace all connect, much like we are all connected to our ancestors.   

Plains Cree artist Erik Lee brings a heavier tone to the exhibit with his crisp metalwork. His sterling silver earrings, rings, necklaces, and cuffs are sleek and futuristic. The chains in his necklace feel as heavy as Miller’s moccasins feel light. The metalwork is highly aesthetic and balanced, and relies on minimalist patterns of long, sharp triangles.

Lee’s metallic colour scheme compliments the floral palettes of Miller and Alexie. Looking around the exhibit, it is easy to tell who created which artwork. While each artist’s style is highly unique, there is still a sense of togetherness.

You can admire wawisihcikan – adornment at the Fine Arts Building (FAB) gallery until January 25.