Beads, they’re sewn so tightBev Koski, Katie Longboat, Jean Marshall and Olivia Whetung

Name: Beads, they’re sewn so tight
Start: 2018-10-10T00:00:00-04:00
End: 2019-05-26T23:59:59-04:00
Location: Thunder Bay Art Gallery

In beadwork, threads create structure and hold beads together, creating a seemingly invisible scaffold. As metaphor and as material, they unite form, design and meaning. Beads, they’re sewn so tight takes up the depths of social and political relations expressed through beadwork, including living traditions, family and community networks – embedded in the visual language of pattern and surface design.

Beads, they’re sewn so tight presents the work of artists Bev Koski, Katie Longboat, Jean Marshall and Olivia Whetung, who employ distinct techniques in their approach to using beads and thread. From bead weaving to loom work and bead embroidery, their artwork threads through formal concerns of colour and design attending to critical issues such as language retention, stereotypes and social/environmental injustices for Indigenous people.

Type: Exhibition

Date: Oct 10, 2018 - May 26, 2019

Artists: Bev Koski, Katie Longboat, Jean Marshall and Olivia Whetung

Curated by: Lisa Myers

Back to What’s On

Bev Koski "Striped Robe in Blues, 1979" (2018); Beads and thread; 8.89 x 8.89 x 8.89 cm. Image courtesy of the artist

Jean Marshall, "Ring of Fire 1" (2015); Porcupine quills, home tanned deer hide, commercial tanned elk hide, beaver fur; Dimensions variable. Image courtesy of the artist

Katie Longboat "Blue Medallion" (2015); Beads, Swarovski crystals; 11.5cm diameter. Image courtesy of the artist

Olivia Whetung “Onjishkawigaabawin” (2015); Beads, thread, steel; Each piece 46 x 91.5cm. Image courtesy of the artist

Presenting Sponsor:

BMO Financial Group

Public Programs:

Opening Reception Wednesday October 10, 2018 | 6-7:30pm

Artist Talks Thursday October 11, 2018 | 6-8pm

Teachers’ Evening: Focus on Indigenous Learning Wednesday October 17, 2018 | 5-7pm

Beading Symposium: Manidoominesagemin Toronto [we are beading in Toronto]
January 25-27, 2019 | All day

Manidoominensagemin Toronto [we are beading in Toronto] was a beading symposium organized by the Textile Museum and Lisa Myers, in conjuction with the exhibition Beads, they’re sewn so tight.

Participants learned embroidery beading from Katie Longboat, bead weaving from Bev Koski, quillwork from Brenda Lee and Jean Marshall, moosehair tufting from Marie Brunelle Moreau, and joined the community beading table facilitated by Olivia Whetung, Lisa Myers, Katie Longboat, Jean Marshall and Bev Koski. Alexandra Kahsenni:io Nahwegahbow led seminars exploring the history and collecting of Indigenous beadwork, and lectures were presented by Sherry Farrell Racette and Franchesca Hebert-Spence.

It was a vibrant and inspiring weekend and we would like to thank the participants, the facilitators, the numerous staff and volunteers who assisted in making everyone feel welcome, and to Lisa Myers for her vision and guidance in developing this program.

To see the program, including descriptions of the workshops and lectures, click here.

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. | In partnership with the Faculty of Environmental Studies at York University.

Curator’s Tour with Lisa Myers Wednesday May 1, 2019 | 6-7pm