Faculty of Art

Drawing and Painting

Natia Lemay

The Descendant Project

The Descendant Project makes use of a Canadian History Book, "The Golden Leaves of Canadas Past," that has been re-worked over the last year to protest systemic erasure and create restorative justice through the use of history, education, and representation. The mixed-media work inscribed on top of Canadian settlers' historical facts and stories consists of drawings, letters, stories, paintings, and prints that discuss IBPOC people and their contributions to Canadian history. The video, photos and installations provided work to discuss the contradictions and paradoxes IBPOC artists face within post-colonial society. My allegorical work critiques the public and Institutional pursuit of decolonization, diversity, and equity through the exploitation and commodification of IBPOC labour.

“This performance video documents the sacrifice of destroying this piece to highlight some of the many issues facing IBPOC individuals. It is a rejection of the racialized commodity; it is the prevention of institutional blind spots and dismantling the exploitation of IBPOC labour through requests of education. This act of destruction by fire also highlights a deeper conceptual meaning; It allows the audience the opportunity to place themselves within our shoes, objectifying feelings of frustration, trauma, and grief by the refusal of access to the content of the book. This information, like many of our histories, is lost to them. Their only opportunity to obtain this information is through never-ending work. It also allows for resurgence and rebirth, acknowledging the traditional cycle of knowledge and ceremony. Through storytelling, I can share the experience and knowledge gained through this work. “I held onto this book for as long as I could, even though I thought I should have held on longer, I had no choice but to let go.” ”