raise a flag: works from the Indigenous Art Collection (2000 - 2015)

Onsite Gallery at OCAD University’s stunning new location at 199 Richmond St. W. includes a Category A designed exhibition space and media lounge as well as collection storage, study and exhibition zones. We are excited to inaugurate this 8,000 square-foot build with the following major exhibitions:

raise a flag: works from the Indigenous Art Collection (2000 - 2015)
Curated by Ryan Rice, Delaney Chair in Indigenous Visual Culture, OCAD U

Barry Ace, Sonny Assu, Carl Beam, Christi Belcourt, Rebecca Belmore, Christian Chapman, Dana Claxton, Ruth Cuthand, Wally Dion, David Garneau, Tanya Harnett, Faye HeavyShield, Greg A. Hill, Mark Igloliorte, Jimmy Iqaluq, Elisapee Ishulutaq, Alex Janvier, Piona Keyuakjuk, Myra Kukiiyaut, Rachelle Lafond, Jim Logan, Kayley Mackay, Qavavau Manumie, Ohotaq Mikkigak, Lisa Myers, Nadia Myre, Marianne Nicolson, Lionel Peyachew, Tim Pitsiulak, Annie Pootoogook, Barry Pottle, Pitaloosie Saila and Tania Willard.

raise a flag presents selected works from a national heritage collection representing First Nations, Inuit and Métis art. Housed in Ottawa, managed by Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, the Indigenous Art Collection is one of the most important and comprehensive art collections of contemporary Indigenous art in Canada and beyond. In light of and in tandem with Canada’s 150 commemorations, raise a flag represents alternative discourses and uncovers missing narratives from the framework of a national identity. The works in raise a flag focus on recent acquisitions, obtained from 2000 to 2015, which chronicle recent significant national narratives reflecting upon Canadian heritage, diversity and collective memory.

Also on view is For This Land: Inside Elemental featuring Jackson 2bears and Janet Rogers.

Education Guide
An Education Guide to accompany raise a flag is available online as a free PDF. This interpretive document is written and developed by Farah Yusuf and has been designed to enrich the visitor's experience of the artworks in the exhibition, and aid in interpreting the meaning of Indigenous art forms in the context of tradition, contemporary art and today’s society. 

Public Events
- Saturday, September 23, 4 p.m.: Canadian Art Magazine’s Gallery Day with talk by Lindsay Nixon
- Saturday, September 30, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.: Nuit Blanche at Onsite Gallery
- Tuesday, October 10, 7 p.m.: Lisa Myers Artist Talk
- Friday, October 20, 5 p.m.: imagineNATIVE Art Crawl Kick-Off
- Saturday, November 4, 2 p.m.: Mark Igloliorte Artist Talk
- Thursday, November 16, 12 to 4 p.m.: Wiki-Edit-a-Thon with the Inuit Artist Database
- Thursday, November 16, 6 p.m.: Panel Talk: Indigenous Tattoo Revitalization with Native Women in the Arts
- Saturday, December 2, 2 p.m.: Land Claims: raise a flag Pennant Workshop and Artist Presentation
- Sunday, December 3, 2 p.m.: Indigenous Art Today: Lindsay Nixon & Ryan Rice


Supporters

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $153 million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country.
Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien. L’an dernier, le Conseil a investi 153 millions de dollars pour mettre de l’art dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.

raise a flag is also produced with the support of the Collection of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, courtesy of the Indigenous Art Centre/Collection des Affaires autochtones et du Nord Canada, courtoisie du Centre d'art autochtone; Our Children's Medicine program and HigherMe; the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council; the Indigenous Visual Culture Program at OCAD University; and, the Delaney Family Foundation.

Onsite Gallery gratefully acknowledges that the new gallery construction project is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Canada Cultural Spaces Fund at Canadian Heritage, the City of Toronto through a Section 37 agreement and Aspen Ridge Homes.