Past to Present: Here to Stay by Jared Quinney
SITE #1:
Sir Winston Churchill Square
Jared Quinney
Past to Present: Here to Stay
Jared Quinney loves making artwork about nature. People can interact with his work by imagining what life is like for animals today and what life was like in the past for animals that have gone extinct. Viewers can expect a fun time, just like the artist has while making these paintings.
ARTIST STATEMENT
“The creatures are now going extinct because of humans intruding into their territories. This has produced a problem where the animals are trying to survive, but they are struggling”
I am an Indigenous artist from Saddle Lake. I’ve been at Nina Haggerty for about 8 years. I got a grant in 2024 to do the paintings for this show. Making paintings is a part of my system but sometimes I do sculptures, fabrics, and prints. I always love working with nature and doing nature pieces because they are the most fun for me to make.
The theme for this show is animals and their habitats. The creatures are now going extinct because of humans intruding into their territories. This has produced a problem where the animals are trying to survive, but they are struggling. I’m pairing it with extinct creatures which went extinct because they just weren’t able to change with the environment, and just could not survive. The creatures have changed throughout time, but the world they live in hasn’t. The planet continues on, even if the animals disappear. Some of the animals in the show are endangered, and it is very easy for them to become extinct.
I want the viewers to think about the environmental impact people have on the animals around them, and to actually see the beauty of nature.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Jared Quinney is an artist working out of Edmonton, Alberta, but is originally from Saddle Lake First Nation. Since working with the Nina Collective in 2017, Jared has explored different mediums and techniques to challenge himself and learn new skills. In his time since joining the Nina Haggerty Centre, he has received the ATB Financial Emerging Artist and the CIBC Propel Award, recognizing his growth in creating financial success with his art business. Jared also received the 2024 Artist of the Year award, celebrating his work and achievement. He is very innovative and is known for working in multiple mediums and not being afraid to try new things in his creative process.