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Previous Exhibit: September 15th to October 4th

Once Upon a Time...

Liane McLaren Varnam

lianevarnam.com
Fish - Liane Varnam

Artist Statement - Liane McLaren Varnam

The myth and story of Little Red Riding Hood has been told and reshaped for many years. I wondered what a Canadian version of Little Red Riding Hood would look like and who the characters would be.

While exploring the myth of how we look at history (feminist, revisionist, patriarchal) and who tells the story, an idea to represent my view of the relationship between aboriginal peoples and the Colonial Canadians, playing with Saul's fundamental idea that perhaps Canada is a Métis Nation, took shape

Rabbit - Liane Varnam

In reading Saul's version of history where he suggests that a more respectful, balanced relationship existed between First Nations People and the migrating Europeans for the first couple hundred years, before fear, greed and power started the First Nations Genocide; I have continued my own exploration of these ideas and who and what artistic and geographic influences me. The Wolf and Little Red, how would they interact in a new myth and a new telling of a Canadian children's story, which is meant for adults? Do we still fear the Wolf and kill the wolf?? Do we get in bed with the wolf? What would the wolf look like what would he represent? What would Red look like, what would she represent??

The Wolf is an artistic interpretation of Bill Reid's Black Canoe Wolf, representing First Nations People (as well as spiritual and animal natures) and Little Red Riding Hood has become the iconic European Mona Lisa (idealized white beauty and supposed innocence). This show explores Canadian identity, artistic Canadian Influences, feminism, Colonial history and ideas of relationships between the First Nation peoples and our ancestors... All from a white woman's perspective.


Wolf - Liane Varnam

Previous Exhibits at the Seymour Art Gallery:


We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver through The Arts Office:


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