Lot
19
M20401 [McCord]

Filigrane sur papier, 2024

56 × 76 cm
Estimate
$7 500

M20401 [McCord] is in a series of archived documents re-created and transferred onto paper as watermarks. The object depicted is a wampum belt, which holds significant cultural importance to the Wendake community and the Seven Nations of Canada, symbolizing treaties and relationships with colonial powers, particularly George III. The subtle marks highlight thresholds and meanings that have been obscured by colonial processes, emphasizing the need to reclaim and reinterpret these narratives. The method used for producing this artwork is historically linked to the production of official documents, money, and stamps, serving as a means to authenticate and officialize.

Biographical note

Alexis Gros-Louis is a multidisciplinary artist from Wendake. He received an MFA from NSCAD University in 2020 and a BFA with a major in photography from Concordia University in 2017. His work has been shown at Centre d’artistes Ahkwayaonhkeh (Québec), Galerie de l’Université de Montréal, Galerie B-312 (Montréal), Manif d’art 11 (Québec), Musée huron-wendat (Québec), Fonderie Darling (Montréal), VU, centre de diffusion et de production de la photographie (Québec), Biennale d’art contemporain autochtone (Montréal), and the Art souterrain festival (Montréal).

Gros-Louis explores the paradox of contemporary Indigenous life and multiple voids in historical records, archival memories, and material culture. He explores themes such as identity, Indigenous subjects, dominant culture, systems of categorization, obsolescence, and fundamental questions about art, art practice, and art-making. His work has been acquired by Collection Méduse and the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal.

https://ajmagl.hotglue.me/