Spring Break Up

Image credit: Pat Kane, Canoeing on Houseboat Bay, digital photograph, 2018.

Installation view, Spring Break Up, La Guilde, 2024. Photo courtesy of La Guilde.

Exhibition opening, Spring Break Up, La Guilde, 2024. Photo courtesy of La Guilde.

Artwork by Morgan Tsetta and Christine Dunbar, Spring Break Up, La Guilde, 2024. Photo courtesy of La Guilde.

Artwork by Trey FLOZ, Spring Break Up, La Guilde, 2024. Photo courtesy of Laura Hodgins.

Artwork by Inuk360, Spring Break Up, La Guilde, 2024. Photo courtesy of La Guilde.

Artwork by Jake Kimble, Spring Break Up, La Guilde, 2024. Photo courtesy of Laura Hodgins

Artwork by Darcie “Ouiyaghasiak” Bernhardt, Spring Break Up, La Guilde, 2024. Photo courtesy of Laura Hodgins.

Artwork by Laura Grier, Spring Break Up, La Guilde, 2024. Photo courtesy of La Guilde.

Artwork by Pat Kane, Spring Break Up, La Guilde, 2024. Photo courtesy of La Guilde.

Artwork by Laura Grier, Spring Break Up, La Guilde, 2024. Photo courtesy of La Guilde.

Artwork by Kyle Natkusiak Aleekuk, Spring Break Up, La Guilde, 2024. Photo courtesy of La Guilde.

Spring Break Up

March 28, 2024- May 12, 2024
La Guilde
Montreal, QC
Guest curated by Laura Hodgins

Spring Break Up is a group exhibition of Northwest Territories' Indigenous artists that transports the essence of this transitional season to Montreal. Curated by a Yellowknifer, Laura Hodgins, the exhibition explores themes such as the return of the sun after a long winter, hunting practices, dependence on the land, and a deep kinship with animals. Through a vibrant colour palette, symbolic beadwork, and graphic paintings, Spring Break Up captures the optimism of spring in the North. Featured artists include: Kyle Natkusiak Aleekuk, Darcie “Ouiyaghasiak” Bernhardt, Christine Dunbar (auntie.beading), Laura Grier, Inuk360, Pat Kane, Jake Kimble, Trey Madsen, Antoine Mountain, Logan Ruben, Taalrumiq, and Morgan Tsetta.

Recognizing the limited arts infrastructure in the Northwest Territories, this exhibition was created to provide northern artists with exposure and elevate the profile of NWT arts in southern Canada. The exhibition artwork selection was juried by fellow NWTers, Kablusiak, Melaw Nakehk'o, and Sarah Swan. Spring Break Up was developed in partnership between La Guilde, Inuit Futures in Arts Leadership, and programming partner, the Inuit Art Foundation. Thank you to the NWT Arts Program for assisting with shipping costs for this exhibition.

The curator, Laura Hodgins, is a white-settler from Sǫ̀mbak'è on Chief Drygeese Territory (Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.) Laura holds a MA in Art History from Concordia University and a BFA in Art History and Visual Studies from the University of Victoria. Her master’s thesis titled “A Concise and Critical Art History of the Northwest Territories” was completed in 2023. As a Northerner, Laura is passionate about fostering and promoting the arts north of the 60th parallel.