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Ursula Johnson

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Ursula Johnson
Born1980 (age 44–45)
Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
EducationNSCAD University, BFA
Websiteursulajohnson.ca

Ursula Johnson (born 1980) is a multidisciplinary Mi’kmaq artist based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Her work combines the Mi’kmaq tradition of basket weaving with sculpture, installation, and performance art. In all its manifestations her work operates as didactic intervention, seeking to both confront and educate her viewers about issues of identity, colonial history, tradition, and cultural practice. In 2017, she won the Sobey Art Award.[1][2]

Early life and education

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Ursula A. Johnson was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, in 1980. She was raised in Eskasoni First Nation, Cape Breton, which lays claim to be the largest Mi’kmaq community in the world.[3] She was taught basket weaving by her great-grandmother, renowned artist Caroline Gould.[4] Johnson participated in the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the United Nations, focusing on creating the first Indigenous Youth Caucus within the institution.[5]

Johnson pursued a secondary education, first enrolling in the Theatre Arts Program at the University of Cape Breton (1998-2000) in nearby Sydney, NS. She then moved to Halifax in 2002 to attend NSCAD University, earning an interdisciplinary BFA degree in 2006. Johnson then became the first Artist-in-residence at Cape Breton University.[6]

Basket weaving

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Many of Johnson's exhibitions and performances include basket weaving, emphasizing traditional Mi’kmaq techniques and forms. Johnson's work in basket weaving draws attention to the way in which baskets have traditionally been placed in anthropological and historical exhibits instead of being celebrated as a continuing indigenous cultural practice. Her work blurs the line between baskets as artifacts, commodities, and art objects.[7] Several of her experimental basket works were shown in O’pltek (It's Not Right), a solo show at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery in 2011.[8] In her 2006 piece for Nations in a Circle in Halifax Johnson wove a basket around herself, employing the traditional methods for the first time since her move off the reserve in an exploration of her self-defined identity as an Urban Aboriginal artist engaged with traditional Mi’kmaq cultural production and traditions.[7] As part of her residency at Cape Breton University, Johnson developed and taught a course called “The Role of the Mi’kmaw Basket in Contemporary Fine Craft”.[6] Johnson has also taught basket weaving through NSCAD's extended studies department.[9] Johnson organized a 30-year retrospective of Caroline Gould's work Kloqowej (Star) at the Mary E. Black gallery before Gould's death in 2011.[10]

Nocturne projects

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Johnson has produced multiple projects for multiple iterations of Nocturne: Art at Night, an annual free art festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia that takes place between 6pm and midnight:

Elmiet - 2010

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For the 2010, Nocturne Festival and the Prismatic Festival Johnson created a performance piece called Elmiet, a Mi’kmaq verb meaning “to go home”, drawing attention to the history of scalping in Nova Scotia. Johnson declared the performance the last scalping in Nova Scotia. Scalping is a practice that dates back to the founding of Halifax and the 1756 Scalping Proclamation has remained in legislation despite a public apology by the Nova Scotia Government in 2000. For the performance Johnson wore a headpiece made from traditional Mi’kmaq basket weaving techniques, covering her eyes and trailing down her back like hair. She began the performance by being led through downtown Halifax by a guide and a group doing parkour who embodied the idea of energy flowing through the surroundings. At 9 pm the performance culminated on the steps of the Grand Parade (Halifax). Johnson then invited a member of the audience to remove her headpiece and symbolically scalp her.[11]

Hot Looking - 2013

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For Nocturne 2013, Johnson collaborated with Soto Pow Wow dancer, Bert Milberg, to create a response to the 2012 No Doubt music video for Looking Hot. For the performance Milberg danced from 6pm to midnight in the storefront window of a luxury shop on Spring Garden road. He danced in full regalia to Looking Hot on a loop, intermittently stopping to sit and pose as viewers took pictures and video. The piece was a response to the appropriation and commodification of indigenous cultures and identity.[12][13]

L'nuisimk: El-noo-wee-simk: Speaking Indian - 2018

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For Nocturne 2018 (curated by Raven Davis), Johnson and partner, Angella Parsons,[14][15][16] performed as Kinuk (their performance duo).[17] Throughout the event, they performed three durational and mobile performances across Halifax and Dartmouth. Speaking to each other in their first languages, Johnson in Mi'kmaw and Parsons in English, the conversations engaged with themes of vulnerability, intimacy, and more immediately, their surroundings.[14]

Solo exhibitions

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  • 2023: "Emmitukwemk: The Visit." The Blue Building, Halifax, Nova Scotia[18]
  • 2021: "ITHA: The Livingroom." The Blue Building, Halifax, Nova Scotia[19]
  • 2018: "Ke'tapekiaq Ma'qimikew: The Land Sings / La terre chante." SBC Gallery, Montreal, Quebec[20]
  • 2018: "The Indian Truckhouse of High Art." Central Art Garage, Ottawa, Ontario[21]
  • 2017: "Mi'kwite'tmn (Do You Remember)." The Reach Gallery Museum, Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada[22]
  • 2015: "Mi'kwite'tmn (Do You Remember)." Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Charlottetown, PEI[23]
  • 2014: "Mi'kwite'tmn (Do You Remember)." College Art Gallery 1, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan[24]
  • 2014: "Mi'kwite'tmn (Do You Remember)." Saint Mary's University Art Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia[5][13][24][25][26]
  • 2012: "L’nuk" (in collaboration with Jordan A. Bennett). Anna Leonowens Art Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia[27]
  • 2011: "The Indian Truckhouse of High Art." Site specific performance/installation in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia[2][13]
  • 2010: "O’pltek." Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, Ontario
  • 2004: "Kepmidedamnej." NSCAD University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 2003: "Ente’k." Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Halifax Nova Scotia
  • 2002: "Klo’ke’wej." Micmac Native Friendship Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Group shows

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  • 2023: "Landscape and Stories." The Blue Building, Halifax, Nova Scotia[28]
  • 2021: "Soft Launch." The Blue Building, Halifax, Nova Scotia[29]
  • 2019: Àbadakone | Continuous Fire | Feu continuel. National Gallery of Canada Ottawa, Ontario[30][31]
  • 2018: "#callresponse." St. Mary's University Art Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia[32]
  • 2018: "Nanabozho's Sisters." Dalhousie Art Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia[33]
  • 2017: "INSURGENCE/RESURGENCE." Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, Manitoba[34]
  • 2017: UnSettled. Queer Arts Festival, Vancouver, BC[35]
  • 2017: "Landmarks2017."[36][37]
  • 2014: "Memory Keepers." Urban Shaman Gallery, Winnipeg, Manitoba[38][39]
  • 2014: "Making Otherwise: Craft and Material Fluency in Contemporary Art." Carleton University Art Gallery, Ottawa, Ontario[2][40][41]
  • 2013: "L'nuwelti'k." Festival jè-st, Moncton, New Brunswick
  • 2013: "Aboriginal Voice: Four Artists from Atlantic Canada." Galerie d'art Louise et Reuben Cohen, Moncton, New Brunswick[42]
  • 2013: "Maqimikew Ketapiaq (The Land Sings)." AntigoNIGHT Festival, Antigonish, Nova Scotia
  • 2013: "L'unwesimk:El-noo-wee-simk" (in collaboration with Angella Parsons). Art in the Open Festival, Charlottetown, PEI[14][15]
  • 2013: "Ke Pite'm." Cape Breton University Art Gallery, Sydney, Nova Scotia
  • 2012: The Indian Truckhouse of High Art. Awards. Celebration., Creative Nova Scotia Awards Celebration, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 2012: L’nuwelti’k. Prismatic Festival, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 2012: Basket Weaving. Planet IndigenUS Festival Harbourfront Centre, Toronto Ontario
  • 2012: Snapshot. Khyber Centre for the Arts, Halifax, Nova Scotia[43]
  • 2012: Material Wealth: Revealing Landscape. Harbourfront Centre, Toronto, Ontario
  • 2011: Ancestral Teachings: Contemporary Perspectives. Thunderbird Centre, Toronto, Ontario
  • 2011: Basket Weaving. Debajehmujig 6 Foot Festival, Manitowaning, Ontario
  • 2010: Elmiet. Nocturne and Prismatic Arts Festival, Halifax, Nova Scotia[43]
  • 2010: L’nuk. (In Collaboration with Jordan A. Bennett), The Other Gallery, Banff, Alberta
  • 2010: Ka’kawej. Art in Public Spaces, Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, Alberta
  • 2009: Ke Pite’m. Time Will Tell Public Performance Series, Eye Level Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 2009: Traditional Mi’kmaq Basketry. Tent Dwellers Canoe Festival, Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia
  • 2009: Traditional Mi’kmaq Basketry. Treaty Day Aboriginal Arts Showcase, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 2008: The Urban Aboriginal Guide to Halifax NS. Dalhousie University Art Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 2006: Untitled. Anna Leonowens Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 2005: Traditional Storytelling Nations In A Circle. Pier 21, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 2003: Basket Weaving Nations In A Circle. Dalhousie Sculpture Court, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Curatorial projects

[edit]
  • 2011: Kloqowej: A 30 Year Retrospective of Caroline Gould. Mary E. Black Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia[44]
  • 2004: Showcase of Aboriginal Arts and Crafts. King's College, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 2001: Aboriginal Youth Art Exhibit. Micmac Friendship Center, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Residencies

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  • 2022: Ocean Fellowship, TBA21 Academy, Venice, Italy[45]
  • 2014: Artist-in-residence, The Pictou Island Portages (part of The Great Canadian Pilgrimages Project, curated by Eryn Foster), Pictou Island, Nova Scotia
  • 2013: Artist-in-residence, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh College of Art & Design with Scottish Sculpture Workshops and The Naked Craft Network, Scotland, UK
  • 2013 – 2014: As the first Artist-in-residence, Johnson has been teaching a class entitled “The Role of the Mi’kmaw Basket in Contemporary Fine Craft”. Cape Breton University Art Gallery and Unama’ki College, Glace Bay, NS[13]
  • 2012: Artist-in-residence, Mount Saint Vincent University Art Gallery, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 2011: Artist-in-residence, Klondike Institute for Arts and Culture, Dawson City, Yukon
  • 2011: Visiting Artist, Debajehmujig Creation Centre, Manitowaning, Ontario
  • 2010: Flying Eagle Internship. Onelight Theatre Co. and Canada Council for the Arts, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • 2010: Thematic Residency on Indigenous Languages. Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, Alberta

Awards

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  • 2019: Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award (for Moose Fence, 2017), Nova Scotia Masterworks[5][46]
  • 2017: Sobey Art Award[1][2][5]
  • 2017: REVEAL Indigenous Art Award, Hnatyshyn Foundation[47]
  • 2014: Aboriginal Traditional Art Forms Creation Grant, Canada Council for the Arts
  • 2013: Grants to Individuals Presentation Grant, Arts Nova Scotia
  • 2010: Grants to Individuals Presentation Grant, Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture & Heritage
  • 2010: Flying Eagle Program, Canada Council for the Arts
  • 2010: Grants to Individuals Creation Grant, Nova Scotia Tourism, Culture & Heritage
  • 2009: Aboriginal Peoples Collaborative Exchange Travel Grant, Canada Council for the Arts
  • 2008: Aboriginal Traditional Visual Art Forms Research Grant, Canada Council for the Arts

Teaching

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  • 2013: "The Role of the Mi’kmaw Basket in Contemporary Fine Art". University College of Cape Breton, Glace Bay, NS
  • 2012: "Intro to Mi’kmaw Language". Micmac Child Development Centre, Halifax, NS
  • 2011–2012: "Intro to Mi’kmaw Basketry". NSCADU School of Extended Studies, Halifax NS
  • 2010: "Mi’kmaw Basketry".Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay ON
  • 2004–2008: Facilitator/Instructor Various Workshops for At-Risk Youth

Community involvement

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On January 25, 2014, as part of the Ideal Law Conference hosted by the Social Activist Law Student Association of Dalhousie University, Ursula Johnson performed a durational song as a form of social resistance, joined by a Mi’kmaq elder.[48] For the performance Johnson called “IKATK” (“She Protects”) the two women extended invitations for audience members to join in their performance or to stand in solidarity with them. The protest lasted four hours, from 9 am to 1 pm, and was held at the Schulich School of Law in Halifax, Nova Scotia.[49][50][51]

On May 22, 2009, Johnson participated in the UNICEF sponsored panel “Taking Advocacy Digital: Emerging Online Indigenous Networks”, in New York, USA. The panel, a “side event of the Eighth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.” featured representatives of various Indigenous Youth Organizations brought together to discuss the engagement of indigenous youth with “the global community in a digital age.”[52] Johnson took part as the Director of Kitpu Youth Centre, located at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, Halifax, NS, from April 2006 to May 2009.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Nova Scotia artist Ursula Johnson wins $50K Sobey Art Award". CBC News. 25 October 2017. Archived from the original on 22 November 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Sandals, Leah (25 October 2017). "Mi'kmaq Artist Ursula Johnson Wins Sobey Art Award". Canadian Art. Archived from the original on 6 November 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  3. ^ "About - Eskasoni First Nation". Eskasoni First Nation. Archived from the original on 2 June 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  4. ^ Barnard, Elissa (23 January 2011). "The art of the basket: Caroline Gould has perfected her artwork over eight decades" (PDF). The Chronicle Herald. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2014 – via Chebucto Community Net.
  5. ^ a b c d Cronin, Ray (2023). Halifax Art & Artists: An Illustrated History. Toronto: Art Canada Institute. pp. 97–98. ISBN 978-1-4871-0315-6. OCLC 1379799175.
  6. ^ a b "A CBU First". Cape Breton University. 2013. Archived from the original on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  7. ^ a b Lypny, Natascia (9 December 2010). "The Urban Aboriginal". Halifax Media Co-op. Archived from the original on 10 January 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  8. ^ "O'pltek (It's Not Right)". Thunder Bay Art Gallery Newsletter. Retrieved 2 April 2014.[dead link]
  9. ^ "I Am an Aboriginal Artist". NSCAD University News. 7 February 2012. Archived from the original on 27 June 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  10. ^ "Caroline Gould". Cape Breton Post. Archived from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2025 – via inmemoriam.ca.
  11. ^ Flinn, Sean (14 October 2010). "Nocturne spotlight: Ursula Johnson: Elmiet". The Coast. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  12. ^ "Hot Looking". Nocturne: Art at Night. 2013. Archived from the original on 27 October 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  13. ^ a b c d Affleck, Jane (Winter 2015). "Wrongs Can Make It Right: The Performance and Sculptural Installation Work of Ursula Johnson". C: International Contemporary Art (124): 28–35. ProQuest 1648606819.
  14. ^ a b c Thorne, Teara (11 October 2018). "L'nuwesimk: El-noo-wee-simk: Speaking Indian: Ursula Johnson and Angella Parsons find intimacy and history all over the city". The Coast. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  15. ^ a b Landry, Mike (16 November 2013). "Skicinuwi-kisihtasu". Telegraph-Journal. pp. F4. ProQuest 1458691088. Johnson.... performed El-noo-wee-sim-k=L'nuwisimk, a collaboration with her wife, and fellow artist, Angella Parsons
  16. ^ "Agricola Street car-pedestrian crash inspires art: Woman inspired by wife's resilience after devastating accident". CBC.ca. 24 January 2014. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  17. ^ Josey, Ryan (14 November 2018). "Black Light, White Light: Nocturne 2018". Visual Arts News. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  18. ^ "Emmitukwemk The Visit - Ursula Johnson". The Blue Building. 2023. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  19. ^ "ITHA The Livingroom - Ursula Johnson". The Blue Building. 2021. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  20. ^ "Ursula Johnson: Ke'tapekiaq Ma'qimikew: The Land Sings / La terre chante". SBC galerie d'art contemporain | SBC Gallery of Contemporary Art. 2018. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  21. ^ "Exhibitions: Ursula Johnson - The Indian Truckhouse of High Art". Central Art Garage. 2018. Archived from the original on 24 April 2025. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  22. ^ "Exhibition: Mi'kwite'tmn (Do You Remember) – Ursula Johnson". The Reach Gallery Museum. 2017. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  23. ^ "Agenda, Altantic". Canadian Art. 31 (4): 30. Winter 2015. ProQuest 1644091373.
  24. ^ a b "Ursula Johnson". The Chronicle Herald. 26 December 2014. pp. D5. ProQuest 1774175997.
  25. ^ Daniel, Joyce (Fall 2014). "Ursula Johnson". Canadian Art. 31 (3): 192. ProQuest 1616448796.
  26. ^ Barnard, Elissa (5 June 2014). "Weaving Mi'kmaq culture; Ursula Johnson uses baskets to explore aboriginal questions". The Chronicle Herald. pp. D1. ProQuest 1774039472.
  27. ^ "Performance: L'nuk, 2010-2012, The Other Gallery, Banff, Alberta". Jordan Bennett. 2012. Archived from the original on 4 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  28. ^ "Exhibition: Landscape and Stories". The Blue Building. 2023. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Exhibition: Soft Launch". The Blue Building. 2021. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Exhibition: Àbadakone | Continuous Fire | Feu continuel". National Gallery of Canada. 2019. Archived from the original on 21 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  31. ^ Taylor, Kate (6 November 2019). "National Gallery exhibition Abadakone celebrates Indigenous art on an international scale: The scale of this excellent collection of art, also known as Continuous Fire, is hard to ignore". The Globe and Mail. ProQuest 2382127227.
  32. ^ "Exhibition: #callresponse". Eyelevel. 2018. Archived from the original on 24 April 2025. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  33. ^ "Exhibition: Nanabozho's Sisters". Dalhousie Art Gallery. 2018. Archived from the original on 17 January 2025. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  34. ^ "Upcoming Exhibitions: INSURGENCE/RESURGENCE". Winnipeg Art Gallery. 2018. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  35. ^ Stimson, Adrian A. (2019). UnSettled (PDF) (Exhibition catalogue). Vancouver, BC: Pride in Art Society. pp. 14–15. ISBN 9780993718540. OCLC 1112686605. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 January 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  36. ^ Terry, Andrea (2018). "[Review of Spaces and Places for Art: Making Art Institutions in Western Canada, 1912–1990]". RACAR: Revue d'art canadienne / Canadian Art Review. 43 (1): 126. ISSN 0315-9906. JSTOR 26454025.
  37. ^ "Info: LandMarks2017/Repères2017". Landmarks 2017. 2017. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  38. ^ Cochrane, Steven Leyden (18 September 2014). "Redrawing the map". Winnipeg Free Press. pp. C7. ProQuest 1562591509.
  39. ^ "Artist: Darcie Bernhardt". Inuit Art Foundation. Archived from the original on 12 February 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  40. ^ Bennett, Jessica (29 May 2018). "Making Otherwise: Craft and Material Fluency in Contemporary Art". Carleton University Art Gallery. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  41. ^ Trouton, Lycia (Spring 2015). "Making Otherwise: Craft and Material Fluency in Contemporary Art". Surface Design. 39 (2): 56–57. ISSN 0197-4483 – via OmniFile Full Text Mega (H.W. Wilson).
  42. ^ Roberts, Ginabeth (24 September 2013). "Tours shine light on art community". The Times. Nova Scotia, Canada. pp. A2. ProQuest 1435012079.
  43. ^ a b "Artist Ursula Johnson Storytelling Presentation". Halifax Media Co-Op. 2012. Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  44. ^ Saunders, Allison (20 January 2011). "Kloqowej (Star) keeps it all in the family". The Coast. Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  45. ^ "Ocean Fellowship 2022". Ocean Space. 2022. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  46. ^ "Masterworks Awards: Moose Fence". Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award. 26 July 2019. Archived from the original on 1 December 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  47. ^ "REVEAL Indigenous Art Awards (2017)". Hnatyshyn Foundation Visual Arts Awards. 2017. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  48. ^ "Aboriginal Law: Reflect, Connect, Engage". Dal News. Dalhousie University. January 2014. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  49. ^ "IDEALaw 2014: Aboriginal Rights: Reflect, Connect, Engage". DAL News. Dalhousie University. 20 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 June 2020.
  50. ^ Johnson, Ursula (18 January 2014). "Ideal Law Conference 2014". Ursula A. Johnson. Archived from the original on 5 July 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2014 – via WordPress.com.
  51. ^ Johnson, Ursula (8 March 2014). I'katk:EE-got-tk (She Protects) (Video). Ursula Johnson. Archived from the original on 1 May 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2025 – via YouTube.
  52. ^ Siu, Vivian (22 May 2009). "Panel explores advances and challenges facing indigenous youth in a digital world". UNICEF. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
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