The City of Peterborough has awarded celebrated First Nations artist Vanessa Dion Fletcher a commission to create an artwork for the city’s new $62-million community complex currently under construction at Lansdowne and Park streets.
Dion Fletcher’s artwork will be installed in the two-storey atrium at the main entrance of the complex, which will include a twin-pad arena and a library branch and will be named the Miskin Law Community Complex.
“The artwork will build on the city’s commitment to create awareness of Indigenous cultures, peoples, and heritage,” states a media release from the city. “The commissioned work will provide insight into First Nations teachings, ethos, and spirit of sport as well and the role sport plays in building relations.”
With the working title “Analogous Harmony,” Dion Fletcher’s artwork will be composed of three hoops or rings, painted with the visual texture, pattern, and colour of quillwork.
“I began by engaging with lacrosse sticks, hoop dancers, and canoes as forms of inspiration,” Dion Fletcher explains. “I related these images to the feelings of movement that are evoked by my two-dimensional quillworks. I now see my quillwork as an invitation to look and see what is within one’s own heart and spirit.”
The media release describes the rings as evoking “balls, tracks, hoop dancing, and the earth” and as “abstract forms that are an invitation for the viewer to see their experience with sport.”
“Whether it was learning to ride a bike, paddle across a lake, run cross country, or playing soccer, for me, sport is a conversation with oneself, the environment, and the creator,” Dion Fletcher says.
A Lenape and Potawatomi neurodiverse artist whose family is from Eelūnaapèewii Lahkèewiitt (displaced from Lenapawking) and European settlers, Dion Fletcher graduated from York University in 2009 with a bachelor of fine arts and from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2016 with a master of fine arts in performance.
She has exhibited across Canada and the U.S. at Art Mur Montreal, Eastern Edge Gallery Newfoundland, The Queer Arts Festival Vancouver, and the Satellite Art show in Miami. Her work is in the Indigenous Art Centre, Joan Flasch Artist Book Collection, Vtape, Seneca College, Global Affairs Canada, and the Archives of American Art. She is also an accomplished educator, having taught at many community workshops for galleries and community spaces.
Dion Fletcher was selected through a invitational commissioning process that was adjudicated by an artwork selection committee comprising Lori Beavis, Bonnie Devine, and Tom Cowie of Hiawatha First Nation from the community at large, and Deirdre Chisholm from the city’s arts and culture advisory committee.
“Historically, Indigenous people played sport like Baaga’ adowewin’ lacrosse to settle disputes and grievances with other communities,” notes Cowie. “This event was set up by Elders and the rules were decided the day before and losing team would accept the outcome. It also was played for recreation and festivals. Having a sporting complex like this creates a safe and comfortable environment inclusive to everyone to enjoy regardless of who you cheer for.”
According to the city, the project was shaped by a working group comprised of design professionals, local First Nations leaders and knowledge keepers, as well as curators specializing in contemporary Indigenous artwork and curatorial practice.
Dion Fletcher’s time in Peterborough will also include an artist talk, workshops relating to materials and process, and the development of Lenape and Anishinaabemowin language resources related to the artwork. Hamilton-based sculptor and fabricator Matthew Walker will be assisting Dion Fletcher on the project.
Dion Fletcher’s artwork will be unveiled during the grand opening of the community complex in the fall.
