Join panelists Shellie Zhang, Madelyne Beckles, Vida Beyer, and Kaythi as they come together with host and curator Adrienne Crossman to discuss their curatorial project and exhibition, (un)happy objects.
Register HERE.
The Arts Council Windsor & Region (ACWR) in partnership with Artcite Inc. is proud to present (un)happy objects as a part of the Curatorial FREE SPACE – Self Directed Residency program. The mandate of the FREESPACE project is to provide professional development opportunities for emerging curators and to develop critically engaged exhibitions and texts on the work of regional artists. For more information about the Curatorial FREE SPACE - Self Directed Residency program visit acwr.net.
Notes from the Curator
(un)happy objects is group exhibition curated by Adrienne Crossman featuring the work of Madelyne Beckles, Shellie Zhang, Vida Beyer, and kaythi. Drawing on Sara Ahmed’s concept of the unhappy object, these artists take on subjects often seen as “difficult,” such as queer identity, cultural heritage, race and feminism, through the recontextualization of cultural iconography.
While some may side-step such topics in order to maintain the niceties of the status quo and attempt to avoid discomfort, the works invite conversations that refuse a separation between the personal and the political. Through the tactical use of humour, pop culture references, and materials such as hooked rugs and neon lights, the works in (un)happy objects provide unconventional entry points into less “happy” topics.
- Adrienne Crossman (Curator)
This panel is supported by the Arts Council Windsor & Region, the University of Windsor’s School of Creative Arts, and the the Art Gallery of Windsor.