There's still some time to check out a travelling art exhibit highlighting the traditional artwork of three Indigenous artists from central Alberta, which has made its latest stop at the Cochrane Public Library.
The travelling exhibit is part of the Alberta Foundation of the Arts Travelling Exhibition Program, called TREX. It is housing 17 pieces of art at the Cochrane Public Library across from The Station on Railway Ave. until Jan 18.
The exhibit is called Turtle Island, and features the work of Aguenus (Angela Hall), Brandon Atkinson, and Jessica Desmoulin. The works are in the Woodland style, based on traditional Indigenous artistic representation.
The exhibit’s title originates from the name given to earth or North America by various Indigenous groups. Although the actual story of Turtle Island varies among Indigenous communities, it tells the story of a turtle that holds the world on its back.
Assistant director of the Cochrane Public Library Jessie Pippin explained the purpose of the program is to spread work by creators in the province to all Albertans.
“And that’s what we are doing here – it is a public space and everyone is welcome,” Pippin said, adding that by having the creations on display throughout the library for a month, it allows locals to view and appreciate the art.
“It just makes people see what is being created and the beauty that still happens in the art world.”
Since TREX is a travelling exhibit, Turtle Island is featured in five-week intervals in several parts of Alberta. Prior to its arrival in Cochrane, Pippin said it was last housed in Lethbridge.
She added that the theme highlights and promotes Indigenous artwork.
“This represents three Indigenous artists and their take on Indigenous culture as represented in art,” she said. “So, you have some of the classic Woodland style art, which is huge with Indigenous artists and it is represented through two different ways, and we also have pen-and-ink animals, and it’s just so gorgeous.”
For both the staff and the visitors to the library alike, Pippin said the display has already been very popular and well-received in its first few weeks.
“When we were pulling [the art] out of the display, we were just in awe of the colours,” Pippin said. “They were just beautiful. This is definitely one of the most talked about exhibits that we’ve had. We’ve had about seven, but this one, everyone just loves it.”
Pippin said the work is most stunning when seen in-person and believes in the importance of art for anyone’s everyday life.
She added the public setting of a library is a wonderful place to host such an exhibit, as it makes it accessible to everyone.
“I would urge everyone to come down and see it,” Pippin said. “Just to have some bold colours in your life, because it is so gorgeous.”
