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Meryl McMaster: As Immense as the Sky

University Gallery, The Image Centre (formerly Ryerson Image Centre)
May 1 - August 4, 2019 
Curator: Gaëlle Morel

Wearing various designed costumes, sculptural garments, makeup, and custom-made props, Meryl McMaster examines the overlapping cultures and histories of both her Indigenous and European ancestors in this series of performative self-portraits. Documented at ancient sites in Saskatchewan and the shores of early settlement in Ontario and Newfoundland, her images originate from her interpretation and reenactment of patrimonial stories told by relatives, knowledge keepers, and friends. McMaster’s otherworldly personas pose theatrically in front of these majestic panoramas, speaking to how inherited historical narratives inform her dual identity.  

 

The artist wishes to acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

 

Events:

Opening Party
Wednesday, May 1
7 pm - 11 pm

Artist and Curator in Conversation: Meryl McMaster with Gaëlle Morel
Wednesday, June 5
7 pm

Exhibition Tours
Daily 2:30 pm

All events take place at The Image Centre (formerly Ryerson Image Centre), unless otherwise noted

 

A primary exhibition of the Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival

Overlooking a body of water, a woman with white face makeup wearing a black coat holds a small boat on her shoulder, filled with ravens
Fig. 1

Meryl McMaster, On the Edge of This Immensity, from the series As Immense as the Sky, 2019, chromogenic print. Courtesy the artist, Stephen Bulger Gallery and Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain

A figure dressed in black and holding a staff stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking a lush green landscape
Fig. 2

Meryl McMaster, My Destiny is Entwined With Yours, from the series As Immense as the Sky, 2019, chromogenic print. Courtesy of the artist, Stephen Bulger Gallery and Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain

A woman wears on her head and holds in her hands two birdhouses, in front of a body of water
Fig. 3

Meryl McMaster, Harbourage For A Song, from the series As Immense as the Sky, 2019, chromogenic print. Courtesy of the artist, Stephen Bulger Gallery and Pierre-François Ouellette art contemporain

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Installation Shots

Installation view of Meryl McMaster: As Immense as the Sky
Fig. 1

 Meryl McMaster: As Immense as the Sky (installation view), 2019 © Larissa Issler, The Image Centre

Installation view of Meryl McMaster: As Immense as the Sky
Fig. 2

Meryl McMaster: As Immense as the Sky (installation view), 2019 © Larissa Issler, The Image Centre

Installation view of Meryl McMaster: As Immense as the Sky
Fig. 3

Meryl McMaster: As Immense as the Sky (installation view), 2019 © Larissa Issler, The Image Centre

As Immense as the Sky