Office of the President

A new art installation inside the University of Toronto’s Simcoe Hall is shining a spotlight on some of Canada’s most respected Indigenous artists while giving the community an opportunity to reimagine the concept of public space.

The exhibition, acknowledging the land, honours Indigenous continuity, resilience and self-determination. The long-term installation occupies space previously reserved for paintings of ��οleaders who have shaped the university over its 196-year history – a gesture acknowledging the importance of making space for Indigenous voices and presence.

Artist Katherine Takpannie's work is featured in a new art installation at U of T’s Simcoe Hall (photo by Polina Teif)

Artist Katherine Takpannie said her mother – a residential school survivor who was born in Apex Hill, Nvt., before being taken away at age six – was in tears when she learned her daughter’s work would be featured at the exhibit.

“It was impactful for her because her life and what happened to Indigenous Peoples has been swept under the rug for so long,” said Takpannie, who was born in Montreal.

Artist Katherine Takpannie's portrait titled All Eyes on Mik’Ma’Ki (Ma Myriah) is displayed (photo by Polina Teif)

Takpannie’s portrait is of Inuk/L’nu/Scottish grassroots activist Ma Myriah Peace. It recognizes Peace’s frontline work in support of Mi’Kmaq fishers’ rights and pays homage to her role as a determined and dedicated community organizer.

Other artists whose work is featured include: Rebecca Belmore, Catherine Blackburn, Lori Blondeau, Dana Claxton, Caroline Monnet and Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory with Jamie Griffiths.

Under the leadership of the President’s Office, and through wide-ranging conversations with Indigenous artists, curators, faculty members and staff, the installation was produced by the Art Museum with the generous support of U of T’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives.

“It was an honour to support this exhibit and see the reimagining of the walls of Simcoe Hall come to life,” said Shannon Simpson, senior director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.

“This is an incredible example of prioritizing Indigenous space while showcasing Indigenous excellence and resiliency.”

Those who wish to view the artwork at Simcoe Hall can register for a guided visit through Eventbrite. While the Dec. 13 visit is already fully booked, there are visits scheduled for Jan. 10 and Feb. 14 at 3:30 p.m. Those who can’t make the listed dates can contact Melody Lu, operations assistant at U of T’s Art Museum (mel.lu@utoronto.ca) to plan group tours.

A launch to celebrate the exhibit was recently held inside U of T’s Governing Council chambers.

Artist Dana Claxton’s portrait titled Headdress is displayed (photo by Polina Teif)

��οPresident Meric Gertler said the portraits invite the public to “hear voices of courage, resilience and solidarity that for so long have been ignored or silenced.”

He added that the installation is among several actions taken by ��οin response to Wecheehetowin, the final report of the Steering Committee for the University of Toronto’s Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee of Canada, and will serve as a reminder to the university community that the work of reconciliation is ongoing and must remain a priority.

Barbara Fischer, executive director and chief curator of the Art Museum at U of T, said the discussions around the role of traditional leadership portraits in public-facing spaces inside Simcoe Hall began years ago, but the “clincher came in 2020.”

“There were rising questions about public art and monuments prompted by the Black Lives Matter movement – why are there permanent monuments which tell of histories that exclude others? It was such an intensive time to rethink public space at every level, and it continues to be vitally important today” said Fischer, who is an associate professor, teaching stream, at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

Barbara Fischer is the executive director and chief curator of the Art Museum at ��ο(photo by Polina Teif)

She added that wide-ranging conversations with Indigenous artists, curators, faculty members and staff led to the installation becoming a reality.

“The voices of Indigenous artists are critical to confronting colonial history and relations with the land; their works attest to the amazing flourishing of Indigenous art and artists all across the country,” she said.

“We are super proud that the artists agreed to be presented in this context with their works.”

Rose Patten, U of T’s chancellor, said she continues to be in awe of the artwork in the exhibit.

“Let me add my thanks to the artists represented in it and to the staff responsible for all of this,” she told those gathered at the launch. “You have made a very impactful contribution to our academic mission as an institution dedicated to inclusive excellence.”

Artist Catherine Blackburn stands in front of her portrait that’s featured inside U of T’s Simcoe Hall (photo by Polina Teif)

Blackburn, a multidisciplinary artist and jeweller who spoke at the event alongside Takpannie, said she feels honoured to be featured alongside some of her favourite artists – but that the installation comes with its challenges.

“I’m addressing the effects of a settler institution, in a settler institution” she said. “To have this work celebrated alongside these powerful women is beautiful, and intense. This exhibition is a powerful intervention bound through love, land, resurgence and relationality, and that is worth celebrating.”

Artist Catherine Blackburn’s portrait titled But there’s no scar? II is displayed (photo by Polina Teif)

Blackburn’s artwork, titled “But there’s no scar? II,” depicts a kneeling figure, with long, braided hair, who faces away from the viewer and wears a cream-coloured, unsmoked deer hide bearing a bruise stitched in iridescent beadwork.

“The original textile work is two-thread applied beadwork, which is the same technique my grandmother would have used when making her garment work,” Blackburn said, adding that beading inspired her to reconnect with her cultural identity.

Born in Patuanak, Sask., and a member of the English River First Nation, Blackburn’s work addresses complexities of memory, history and identity connected to her personal narrative.

“I speak to personal and familial [trauma] rooted in the residential school system,” she said.

“I’m always aware of the tension within my work, constantly interrogating whose voices are present as to avoid generalization because our cultures are so unique.”

In holiday message, President Meric Gertler celebrates community's work on sustainability

lanthierj — Thu, 07 Dec 2023 12:56:42 +0000

In holiday message, President Meric Gertler celebrates community's work on sustainability lanthierj Thu, 12/07/2023 - 07:56

Topic

Our Community

UTogether

Office of the President

President Meric Gertler

Subheadline

‘Your scholarship, innovation and leadership are making a huge difference'

In his annual holiday message released today, University of Toronto President Meric Gertler celebrates the work of students, faculty, librarians, staff and alumni to build a “sustainable, equitable and inclusive” future – across the three campuses and around the world.

“We’re partnering with remote communities to track and fight climate change, we’re creating clean energy solutions, remediating pollution – and so much more,” he says in the video, noting that QS Top Universities recently ranked ��οfirst in the world for sustainability, “recognizing our ability to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance challenges.”

In a year marked by deeply upsetting global events, the president also calls on members of the community to build bridges, foster mutual respect and understanding, and advance the search for peace.

“And during the upcoming break, let’s take time to rest and recharge with family and friends,” the president says.

“I wish you all the best in the year to come.”

Stealing the show: Conference aimed at event professionals first of its kind on campus

sungjimi — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 14:27:15 +0000

Stealing the show: Conference aimed at event professionals first of its kind on campus sungjimi Wed, 03/20/2019 - 10:27

From organizing staff retirement parties to receiving a foreign dignitary on campus, you can bet event planners at the University of Toronto have been working hard behind the scenes.

Main Event, an upcoming conference for event planning professionals at U of T, is formally bringing together all the internal staff who are involved in organizing events. The April 2 conference is being organized by the Office of the President and will be the first of its kind for the university.

“There’s a lot of creativity across the three campuses when it comes to event planning. I think the challenge is meeting the objectives of the local division and also giving it that consistent ��οbrand,” says Bryn MacPherson, assistant vice-president in the Office of the President and chief of protocol.

For example, as the chief of protocol, MacPherson often gets questions from staff about how to receive guests or dignitaries in a consistent manner befitting of the university.

“I think that’s something many ��οevent planners are looking for: a way to ensure best practices are shared broadly across the university,” she says.

Stevie Asselstine, manager of donor relations and advancement at the Rotman School of Management, says she’s looking forward to expanding her network at Main Event. Prior to her role at Rotman, where she is the sole alumni event planner, Asselstine worked in the central division of university advancement with a team of six event planners.

“A lot of my former DUA coworkers have gone on to other divisions so I know that I can call on them for ideas, which is great, but I know that not everybody has that,” says Asselstine.

In addition to networking, Main Event will feature skills development sessions such as speechwriting and will address topics ranging from complying with accessibility standards to managing disruptions from the public. Special guests will include President Meric Gertler and Stewart Wheeler, the chief of protocol of Canada, who will deliver the keynote.

MacPherson says a newly created ��οEvent Professionals Group is already prompting conversations among ��οstaff who are looking to bounce ideas off of their colleagues. The group, run as an Office 365 team, is intended to be a reliable network and community for event planning professionals at the university and will help facilitate interoffice collaboration.

“There are conferences and associations outside of the university, but we thought, why not harness the expertise we have within the university and share with one another?” says MacPherson.

Stealing the show: Conference aimed at event professionals first of its kind on campus

An on-campus announcement about the Canada Research Chairs program is an example of an event co-ordinated by ��οstaff. Kirsty Duncan, the federal minister of science and sport, is pictured. Photo by Nick Iwanyshyn

Jenny Rodrigues

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