Dark Ice: Leslie Reid and Robert Kautuk
March 30 – September 7
Climate change is severely impacting northern landscapes and communities, putting Inuit knowledge and traditions at risk. Dark Ice: Leslie Reid and Robert Kautuk features photos, paintings, and videos of Arctic land and life, highlighting the unique perspectives of the artists. Reid’s work reflects her Arctic travels and research into colonial impacts and reconciliation, inspired by her father’s Cold War mapping flights. Kautuk uses drones to document his community and leads the Clyde River Knowledge Atlas. Together, their art fosters dialogue on climate change and reconciliation, offering hope for the future.
This travelling exhibit is organized and circulated by the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG).
Bios
Leslie Reid pursued her art education at Queen’s University in Kingston and furthered her studies at the Chelsea College of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art in England. Upon returning to Canada, she joined the University of Ottawa as a professor in Visual Arts where she is now Professor Emerita. Reid gained recognition through exhibitions such as Some Canadian Women Artists (1975–76), marking International Women’s Year, and by representing Canada at the Paris Biennale. Reid’s recent work is rooted in her travels to the High Arctic, investigating the impacts of climate change and sovereignty on northern communities. Notable projects include Mapping a Cold War (2016) and video works from the Canada C3 expedition (2017), which examine historical and environmental transformations in the Arctic.
Robert Kautuk is a photographer from Kangiqtugaapik (Clyde River), NU. He captures traditional practices and breathtaking views of his community in the Canadian Arctic using drones and digital cameras. He is the Photographer & Manager of Multimedia at the Ittaq Heritage & Research Centre, promoting Inuit knowledge, language, and culture. He is also a regular contributor to Nunatsiaq News, and his work has been featured in Inuit Art Quarterly, Up Here, and Above & Beyond.
