Discover the Art of Marianne Nicolson - Monastère des Augustines

As part of the Manif d’art 9 – La biennale de Québec, the Monastère des Augustines has the privilege of exhibiting an original work by Marianne Nicolson, a British Columbia artist from the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation. Called Walasida Paxala: The Great Healer, the work is a great example of the process of updating the indigenous cultures’ visual and symbolic languages.

“Invited to occupy the Monastère des Augustines’ glass façade for the biennial, Nicolson turned to the history of local medicine and its traditions in the natural territory. Her stylized representations refer to the local fauna and flora, sources of natural remedies used by the indigenous peoples, and then by the Augustinians to treat the sick.”[1]

In this piece of art by Marianne Nicolson, the turtle symbolizes the territory. The date on its shell refers to the Royal Proclamation of 1763, promulgated by King George III. This proclamation is sometimes called the “Indian Bill of Rights“

The work and its explanation can be appreciated at the Monastère des Augustines until April 21, 2019.

[1] An extract of the note accompanying the artwork.