The Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art has announced that it will present the Western Canadian premiere of Indigenous History in Colour by Luke Parnell.

The solo exhibition runs from February 3 to May 9 and explores the relationship between Northwest Coast Indigenous oral histories, conceptual art, and traditional formline design.

“Indigenous History in Colour invites audiences to engage with the vibrant and dynamic qualities of Indigenous art, while also looking beyond the surface of popularized perspectives,” says Bill Reid Gallery curator Beth Carter in a press release. “Inspired by oral traditions, history, pop culture, and Bill Reid, Parnell’s playful juxtapositions and bold commentary shine a spotlight on the work still needed to bring about authentic reconciliation for Indigenous peoples.”

“Research and exploration have become the basis of my artistic practice," adds Parnell, who is Wilp Laxgiik Nisga’a from Gingolx on his mother’s side and Haida from Massett on his father’s side. "In order to understand histories and concepts, in order to explore emotion and contemporary events, I create artworks. My artwork asks questions but never answers them.”

For more info visit the Bill Reid Gallery website here.