FREDERICTON, NB.- The Beaverbrook Art Gallery announced the presentation of Radical Stitch, the most comprehensive exhibition of contemporary Indigenous beadwork ever seen on Turtle Island (North America). Travelling to the Beaverbrook following it’s stop at the National Gallery of Canada, the exhibition runs from November 30, 2024, to March 2, 2025. This groundbreaking showcase celebrates beadwork as a central medium in Indigenous art, exploring its deep cultural, historical, and political significance. Through a remarkable collection of artworks, Radical Stitch spotlights how beadwork serves as a powerful vehicle for storytelling, cultural preservation, and advocacy for Indigenous rights.
Curated by Sherry Farrell Racette, Michelle LaVallee, and Cathy Mattes, Radical Stitch features a diverse array of forms, including wearable art, large-scale installations, and multimedia pieces, while exploring beadwork’s role in decolonization, resistance, and healing. Organized and circulated by the MacKenzie Art Gallery, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on how contemporary Indigenous artists engage with their histories and confront pressing social issues. Through a combination of traditional techniques and modern practices, the artists create works that resonate across time and geography, fostering dialogue about the resilience of Indigenous peoples and their contributions to contemporary art and society.
"It is an honor to host Radical Stitch at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. This exhibition is one of the most remarkable showcases of contemporary Indigenous beadwork that I have had the privilege of experiencing. It is truly exciting to see some of the exceptional artists and artworks I have admired for years included in this exhibition. We are incredibly fortunate to be entrusted with caring for such a significant exhibition, and as the sole venue in Atlantic Canada, we are proud to share this important cultural event with the community." Says Emma Hassencahl-Perley, Curator of Indigenous Art at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
The curators of Radical Stitch uniquely allow hosting institutions to highlight local beadwork artists within the exhibition, creating a site-specific experience that showcases the depth and diversity of Indigenous beadwork. By integrating works from Wabanakik, the Beaverbrook is excited to highlight local artists and their stories as they contribute to the national conversation on contemporary Indigenous beadwork.
In addition to the exhibition, the gallery will host a variety of special programs throughout the run of the exhibition, including curator talks, beading workshops, and interactive events designed to foster greater understanding of the significance of Indigenous beadwork.
