Celebrated Cree/Métis artist Kevin McKenzie’s art exhibit is on display at UBCO’s FINA gallery as part of UBC Okanagan’s annual Indigenous Art intensive.
What: Honky Tonk Chapel exhibition
Who: Celebrated Cree/Métis artist Kevin McKenzie
Opening Reception: Wednesday, June 5 from 5 to 7 pm
When: Exhibit runs until August 22, weekdays from 10 am to 4 pm and weekends from 9 am to 5 pm
Where: FINA Gallery, Creative and Critical Studies building, 1148 Research Rd., UBC Okanagan
Using a unique combination of neon lights, resin-cast buffalo skulls and pop culture, celebrated Cree/Métis artist Kevin McKenzie recently opened his first exhibition in the Okanagan as part of UBC Okanagan’s Indigenous Art Intensive.
Called the Honky Tonk Chapel, the show opened at UBCO’s FINA Gallery on May 10.
Curated by UBC Okanagan Gallery Curator, Dr. Stacey Koosel, the exhibit features McKenzie’s well-known series of resin-cast, neon glowing buffalo skulls in an installation which juxtaposes pop culture, muscle cars, hot rods and honky tonk bar references with sacred icons intrinsic to Indigenous traditional beliefs and spirituality, such as buffalo skulls and religious motifs.
McKenzie was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and is a member of the Cowessess First Nation on Treaty 4 territory. He rose to prominence in the early 2000s with his self-described lowbrow buffalo skull series 426 Hemi Hot Rod Buffalo, Red Voodoo and Immortals which were all acquired by the National Gallery of Canada.
“The Honky Tonk Chapel exhibition combines some of Kevin McKenzie’s best-known works with new paintings from his Indigenous comic book hero series—two of which are brand new paintings made for this exhibition,” says Dr. Koosel.
McKenzie’s exhibition marks the fourth annual showing and collaboration between UBC Okanagan Gallery and the Indigenous Art Intensive. Artists Krystle Silverfox, Tiffany Shaw, Manuel Axel Strain and Whess Harman each held previous summer exhibitions as part of the Indigenous Art Intensive.
This year’s Indigenous Art Intensive includes public keynote speakers and artist talks every Wednesday until June 12, from noon to 3:30 pm in UBCO’s university theatre.
Honky Tonk Chapel continues to be open to the public until August 22, at the FINA Gallery, located inside the Creative and Critical Studies building at UBC Okanagan.
A free opening reception takes place on June 5 at 5 pm and the public is welcome to attend.
More information about the UBC Okanagan Gallery and the exhibition can be found at: gallery.ok.ubc.ca.
