New exhibition, IN DEFIANCE, at Legacy Downtown

A new exhibition at Legacy Downtown, IN DEFIANCE, emerged from Iroquois Mohawk artist Lindsay Kat Katsitsakatste Delaronde's photographic project entitled “Squaw” which, in utter defiance to that negative word long often used to denigrate Indigenous women, seeks to break down the stereotypes.

Premiering Oct. 8, IN DEFIANCE showcases individual portraits that deliberately dismantle the negative stereotypes of First Nations women by having the individuals portray themselves more authentically reflecting truth of diversity, power and respect. With each subject deciding how and where she was going to be portrayed in her portrait, Delaronde has given each woman her own voice and a platform that provided them with safety and trust to express the most private and sensual aspects of themselves.

The exhibition is featured in local magazine Focus for the fall edition (available as a PDF).

The individual photographs shown together in this exhibition create an empowering series that deconstructs, challenges and defies mainstream ideologies of identity and its link to sexuality. According to the artist, the motivation for her project is to “seek to create a project to reclaim and empower First Nations women and their capability to express their natural sovereign powers of eroticism, sensuality and vulnerability through their presence over time.”

“The sexualization and exploitation of female representation within mainstream society has been consistent over time, disregarding the rich cultural existence Indigenous women have maintained through traditional knowledge, social roles and power,” explains Delaronde. “The objectification of women in Western society lacks an understanding and relationship to traditional teachings, and I feel it is time to push the continuum of those teachings forward in the direction of exposing vulnerability and sensuality that will allow eroticism to be reclaimed through the matriarchal body.”

The exhibition runs to Jan. 7, 2017 and will also feature several events including a moderated discussion on Oct. 22 involving the audience in an exploration of issues raised by the photographs.

What: IN DEFIANCE by artist and collaborator Lindsay Kat Katsitsakatste Delaronde (Iroquois/Mohawk)
When: Opens Saturday, Oct. 8

What: Celebration event for IN DEFIANCE
When: Friday, Oct. 21 from 7 to 9 p.m.

What: “In Conversation” with Delaronde and community-based researcher, writer, educator and advocate Sarah Hunt (Kwagiulth)
When: Saturday, Oct. 22 from 2 to 4 p.m.

What: “Mask Making” with Delaronde
When: Sunday, Nov. 6 from 1 to 4 p.m.

What: “Cornhusk Doll Making” with Delaronde
When: Sunday, Nov. 20 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Where: Legacy Art Gallery Downtown, 630 Yates St., Victoria