The first-ever Indigenous art exhibition at Toronto’s historic Casa Loma cultural venue has a visible connection to Ottawa through the presence of three works by Ottawa-based artist Ciaran Head-Smith.
Head-Smith, a 20-year-old architectural design student at Carleton University, is a member of the Opaskwayak Cree First Nation of northern Manitoba.
“My culture and history have deeply shaped my journey into the world of art,” he says, a voyage which is taking his work to Toronto.
The Red Visions exhibition notes say the show “honours the unique styles, cultural heritage, and identities of Indigenous artists highlighting the vibrant and diverse voices of Indigenous communities.”
The exhibition features 39 works from 13 artists from various Indigenous nations. Head-Smith’s three pieces are titled Prayer Song, Hunt and Connected.
He says having Indigenous art featured in a colonial institution in Casa Loma, which was built by a wealthy white financier in 1914 and now is a historic museum and landmark in Toronto, is important.
“Showcasing artists from different nations across Turtle Island, all expressing their identities and cultures to educate the public, represents a step forward on the path to reconciliation,” he said.
Head-Smith said he hopes to contribute to a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories and perspectives. He adds that his goal is to create and design in a way that can increase Indigenous representation and educate the public, and fellow artists.
Artist David Mokine said a collaboration with Head-Smith helped him learn a lot about Indigenous art and culture.
“It really kind of opened my eyes to that side of art and to the stories that Indigenous art in particular tells,” he said.
The two collaborated on a handcrafted canoe paddle, shaped and carved by Mokine, complete with custom art by Head-Smith.
“It was really awesome to see both our interests flourish,” Mokine said.
The paddle was sold at an auction and now hangs in a dining hall at Taylor Statten Camps, located on traditional Algonquin territory. Mokine said he was excited at the chance to help spread his friend’s name and work around.
“ It’s a predominantly white summer camp and I think they need to learn a little bit more about the historical side of things and where the land comes from,” he said.
While many Indigenous artists use art to connect with and preserve their cultures, a 2023 report by Hill Strategies, a leading authority in arts and culture research, has found that Indigenous peoples — about five per cent of Canada’s population — accounted for 3.7 per cent of the country’s 202,900 artists.
This makes Indigenous-led art exhibits like Red Visions, which had “minimal curatorial intervention,” even more important.
“I hope visitors gain a deeper appreciation for Indigenous ways of knowing and how these can be expressed through various art forms, from carving and painting to photography,” Head-Smith said about the exhibit as a whole.
Head-Smith is a self-taught artist, but his creative path has been greatly influenced by Northern Ontario Indigenous artists such as Carl Ray (1943-78) and Norval Morrisseau (1932-2007) and Manitoba’s Jackson Beardy (1944-84).
He specializes in contemporary acrylic and digital artwork.
He said he appreciates the value of using art to connect with culture, especially as a young Indigenous person.
“To younger Indigenous artists and designers starting their journeys, my advice is to embrace your identity and heritage as a source of inspiration,” says Head-Smith. “Through your art and design, you have the ability to preserve and evolve these ideas in ways that speak to both your community and the broader world”.
The Red Visions exhibit at Casa Loma closes on Valentine’s Day.
