2018 Sobey Art Award: Atlantic - Jordan Bennett
CBC Radio | Posted: January 29, 2019 4:24 PM | Last Updated: January 29, 2019
Jordan Bennett is the 2018 Sobey Art Award finalist representing the Atlantic
Born in Stephenville Crossing Ktaqamkuk and of Mi'kmaq descent, Jordan Bennett's ongoing practice utilizes painting, sculpture, video, installation and sound to explore land, language, the act of visiting and familial histories. His work challenges colonial perceptions of indigenous histories, stereotypes and presence with a focus on exploring Mi'kmaq and Beothuk visual culture of Ktaqamkuk. Over the past ten years, Bennett has participated in over 75 group and solo exhibitions, both nationally and internationally.
He has been the recipient of several awards and honours, most notably longlisted for the 2016 and 2015 Sobey Art Award, and presented with a Hnatyshan Foundation REVEAL – Indigenous Art Award and awarded the 2014 Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Councils Artist of the Year.
Juror's Statement
Heather Igloliorte on Jordan Bennett
Jordan Bennett's diverse artistic practice explores land, language, history and futurity. Grounded by his connection to the Mi'kmaq and Beothuk visual cultures and worldviews of Ktaqamkuk (Newfoundland), his work enacts forms of translation, making the past present through the creation of dynamic works that express the fluidity, vitality and continuity of Indigenous culture, language and art. His paintings and large-scale public artworks abstract from Mi'kmaq quillwork patterns and Beothuk imagery to create a new visual language, while his multimedia and installation works seamlessly integrate audiovisual technologies with land-based media to create thoughtful works that focus on themes of home, visiting, learning and transformation. Through this cross-disciplinary, multimedia work, Bennett contributes a new visual language in the Atlantic region, providing a counter narrative to colonial history and re-centring Indigeneity in the present.
Heather Igloliorte on Jordan Bennett
Jordan Bennett's diverse artistic practice explores land, language, history and futurity. Grounded by his connection to the Mi'kmaq and Beothuk visual cultures and worldviews of Ktaqamkuk (Newfoundland), his work enacts forms of translation, making the past present through the creation of dynamic works that express the fluidity, vitality and continuity of Indigenous culture, language and art. His paintings and large-scale public artworks abstract from Mi'kmaq quillwork patterns and Beothuk imagery to create a new visual language, while his multimedia and installation works seamlessly integrate audiovisual technologies with land-based media to create thoughtful works that focus on themes of home, visiting, learning and transformation. Through this cross-disciplinary, multimedia work, Bennett contributes a new visual language in the Atlantic region, providing a counter narrative to colonial history and re-centring Indigeneity in the present.