Richmond BC, Canada #richmondartgallerybc
Join us at the Reliance Theatre at Emily Carr University of Art & Design for an artist talk with Manuel Axel Strain. This talk will coincide with the exhibition, xʷən̓iwən ce:p kʷθəθ nəw̓eyəł ((((Remember your teachings)))), open from September 13 – November 9, 2025.
This talk is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. The session will include time for Q+A with the artist.
Free Drop-in, no registration is required.
About the Artist:
Manuel Axel Strain is a 2-Spirit artist from the lands and waters of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), Simpcw and Syilx peoples, based in the sacred region of their q̓ic̓əy̓(Katzie) and qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən̓ (Kwantlen) relatives. Strain’s mother is Tracey Strain and father is Eric Strain, Tracey’s parents are Harold Eustache (from Chuchua) and Marie Louis (from nk̓maplqs), Eric’s Parents are Helen Point (from xʷməθkʷəy̓əm) and John Strain (from Ireland). Although they attended Emily Carr University of Art + Design they prioritize Indigenous epistemologies through the embodied knowledge of their mother, father, siblings, cousins, aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandparents and ancestors.
Creating artwork in collaboration with and reference to their relatives, their shared experiences become a source of agency that resonates through their work with performance, land, painting, sculpture, photography, video, sound and installation. Their artworks often envelop subjects in relation with ancestral and community ties, Indigeneity, labour, resource extraction, gender, Indigenous medicine and life forces. Strain often perceives their work to confront and undermine the imposed realities of colonialism. Proposing a new space beyond its oppressive systems of power. They have contributed work to the Vancouver Art Gallery, Surrey Art Gallery, the UBCO FINA gallery, were longlisted for the 2022 Sobey Award and were a recipient of the 2022 Portfolio Prize.
More information on ECUAD Art Forums and other ECUAD events HERE
Hosted by Emily Carr University of Art + Design’s Art Forums course in partnership with the Richmond Art Gallery.
