Indigenous Art Intensive 2024: Kevin McKenzie, Victoria Jaenig, asinnajaq

The annual Indigenous Art Intensive gathers artists, curators, writers and scholars to engage in contemporary ideas rooted in Indigenous art-making.

Join us at the University Theatre on Wednesday, June 5 from noon to 3:30 pm for a keynote address by UBC Okanagan Gallery exhibiting artist in residence Kevin McKenzie. McKenzie’s keynote will be followed by artist talks from Victoria Jaenig and asinnajaq. Following the talks there will be a brief question and answer period with the artists moderated by UBC Okanagan Gallery Director Tania Willard.

About the artists

Kevin McKenzie is Cree/Métis, born in Regina, Saskatchewan. He is a member of the Cowessess First Nation of Saskatchewan, Treaty 4. He holds a BFA and an MFA from the University of Regina.

During his 30-year art practice, McKenzie has exhibited nationally and internationally, notable exhibitions include Changing Hands: Art Without Reservation II, Museum of Arts and Design, New York. He also participated in Don’t Stop Me Now, National Gallery of Canada. In 2022 he was commissioned by the President’s Office at Brandon University to produce a public sculpture dedicated to Truth and Reconciliation titled “Healing Together.”

McKenzie lives in Brandon, Manitoba, he works at Brandon University as an Instructor at Ishkaatbatens Waasa Gaa Inaabetag (IWGI) Department of Visual Art.

asinnajaq is from Inukjuak, Nunavik and lives in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal). Her work includes photography, filmmaking, writing and curating. She co-created Tillitarniit a three day festival celebrating Inuit art and artists. Asinnajaq wrote and directed Three Thousand (2017) a short sci-fi documentary. She co-curated Isuma’s show in the ‘Canadian’ pavilion at the 58th Venice. In 2020 asinnajaq was long listed for the Sobey Art Award. She co-curated the inaugural exhibition INUA at the Qaumajuq. Asinnajaq programmed the Flaherty NYC 2022 fall program Let’s all be lichen. In their work, asinnajaq is interested in sharing tools for navigating life’s journey.

Victoria Jaenig is a three-time award winning Indigenous Storyteller, Media Artist and Producer and has produced over 30 short films, music videos, documentaries and informational videos. She has curated and exhibited her body of works in group and solo exhibitions or festivals for over twenty years. Victoria toured parts of Europe, Western Canada and Northwestern USA as a dance and theater performer with Secwepemc Theatre, Rainbow Productions and Nak’ulamen Performance Collective with productions she performed in, wrote, directed, and/ or produced. This experience has led her to be a mentor and instructor of Indigenous Storytelling and Performance, Media Arts, Marketing classes and Portfolio Development as part of the National Indigenous Professional Artist Training (NIPAT) program at the Internationally renown Indigenous Post Secondary institute, En’owkin Centre.

To find out more, visit: blogs.ubc.ca/indigenousintensive