The curatorial premise of the works is of “Landback”.
After considering what that means to me, I realized that the effort to take the time and really listen and contemplate aadosikan/stories while caring for my regalia, sets up a care-dynamic that grounds me in the Anishinaabe world, despite the isolation the pandemic was imposing. These stories are typically shared during the winter months. The winidogkaan regalia is taken out of its bag and washed and cared for while listening to old stories being zoomed live. The stories extend our minds outside of our immediate physical environment and our immediate timelines. It reminds us that we are connected to the world and worlds in ways far older and important than we tend to remember. By listening to the stories, by taking care of our regalia, these actions of care are a part of re-affirming our place in the world and, for me, a foundational part of the idea of “landback”.
Scott Benesiinaabandan is Anishinaabe, a member of Obishkkokaang/Lac Seul First Nations. Scott is an intermedia artist that currently works in experimental image making, light installations and sonic materials. Scott has completed a MFA in photography from Concordia University and currently resides in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Scott’s current research interests are intersections of artificial-intelligence(s) and Anishinaabemowin.
Scott has completed international residencies at Parramatta Artist Studios in Australia, Context Gallery in Derry, North of Ireland, and University Lethbridge/Royal Institute of Technology iAIR residency, along with international collaborative projects in both the U.K and Ireland. Scott has completed new media residencies with Initiative for Indigenous Futures and AbTec in Montreal. Scott is currently a resident artist at the Abijijiwan New Media Lab in Winnipeg.
Benesiinaabandan has been awarded grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Council, Winnipeg Arts Council and Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec. His work can be found in a number of private, provincial and national collections.
Benesiinaabandan has taken part in several notable exhibitions across Canada and internationally: Harbourfront’s Flatter the Land/Bigger the Ruckus, Subconscious City at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, GHOSTDANCE at Ryerson Image Centre and solo exhibitions; unSacred, at Gallery 1C03 and in Sydney, Australia, mii omaa ayaad/Oshiki Inendemowin, Melbourne with Blood Memories, little resistances at Platform Gallery, Insurgence/Resurgence and recently completed public commissions for CONTACT Photography Festival in Toronto, Momenta Festival in Montreal and Nuit Blanche Festival in Toronto.
