Àbadakone | Continuous Fire | Feu continuel
Extended until October 4, 2020
A resounding success since opening in November 2019, this popular exhibition of contemporary Indigenous art has been extended until October 4 at the National Gallery of Canada.
Àbadakone features work by more than 70 contemporary Indigenous artists identifying with almost 40 Indigenous nations, ethnicities and tribal affiliations from 16 countries, including Canada.
Building upon themes of continuity, activation, and relatedness, Àbadakone explores the creativity, concerns and vitality of Indigenous art from virtually every continent. The exhibition was led by National Gallery of Canada curators Greg A. Hill, Christine Lalonde and Rachelle Dickenson, with consulted curators Candice Hopkins, Ariel Smith and Carla Taunton, as well as a team of advisors from around the globe.
Experience this compelling exhibition for the first time — or see it again — as Àbadakone taps into the global pulse of Indigenous artistic production.
Date
Location
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Artwork
Marianne Nicolson, Harbinger of Catastrophe, 2017, mixed-media installation. Collection of the artist © Marianne Nicolson. Photo: NGC
Marianne Nicolson, Harbinger of Catastrophe, 2017, mixed-media installation. Collection of the artist © Marianne Nicolson. Photo: NGC
Zanele Muholi, MaID I, Syracuse 2015, silver gelatin prints, 59.7 × 45.7 cm each. © Zanele Muholi, courtesy the artist, Yancey Richardson, New York, and Stevenson Cape Town / Johannesburg
Zanele Muholi, MaID I, Syracuse 2015, silver gelatin prints, 59.7 × 45.7 cm each. © Zanele Muholi, courtesy the artist, Yancey Richardson, New York, and Stevenson Cape Town / Johannesburg
Siwa Mgoboza, The Ultrabeam 2017, isiShweshwe (Three Cats Cotton) fabric, glass beads, tulle and cotton thread, 196 × 215 cm, © Siwa Mgoboza, courtesy Matter Gallery, Photo: NGC
Siwa Mgoboza, The Ultrabeam 2017, isiShweshwe (Three Cats Cotton) fabric, glass beads, tulle and cotton thread, 196 × 215 cm, © Siwa Mgoboza, courtesy Matter Gallery, Photo: NGC
Hannah Claus, our minds are one, 2014, digital print on polyester film, thread, PVA glue, acrylic sheet, and aluminum frame, 245 × 304.8 × 304.8 cm, National Gallery of Canada, Purchased 2018 (no. 48494), © Hannah Claus, Photo: Hannah Claus
Hannah Claus, our minds are one, 2014, digital print on polyester film, thread, PVA glue, acrylic sheet, and aluminum frame, 245 × 304.8 × 304.8 cm, National Gallery of Canada, Purchased 2018 (no. 48494), © Hannah Claus, Photo: Hannah Claus
Will Wilson, K’ómoks Imperial Stormtrooper (Andy Everson), Citizen of the K’ómoks First Nation, 2017, from the series Critical Indigenous Photographic Exchange: dᶻidᶻəlalič [Seattle], inkjet print, 127 × 101.6 cm. © Will Wilson. Photo: courtesy the artist
Will Wilson, K’ómoks Imperial Stormtrooper (Andy Everson), Citizen of the K’ómoks First Nation, 2017, from the series Critical Indigenous Photographic Exchange: dᶻidᶻəlalič [Seattle], inkjet print, 127 × 101.6 cm. © Will Wilson. Photo: courtesy the artist
Maria Hupfield, Electric Prop and Hum Freestyle Variations, 2017–18, wooden structure with hinged gate, 13 fluorescent-yellow wooden planks, felt objects, pink light fixture, “Land Acknowledgement banner” and video. Installation view of a performance at the Museum of Arts and Design, New York, 2017. Collaboration with Tusia Dabrowska. Courtesy the artist. © Maria Hupfield. Photo: Heidi Bohnenkamp, courtesy the Museum of Arts and Design, New York
Maria Hupfield, Electric Prop and Hum Freestyle Variations, 2017–18, wooden structure with hinged gate, 13 fluorescent-yellow wooden planks, felt objects, pink light fixture, “Land Acknowledgement banner” and video. Installation view of a performance at the Museum of Arts and Design, New York, 2017. Collaboration with Tusia Dabrowska. Courtesy the artist. © Maria Hupfield. Photo: Heidi Bohnenkamp, courtesy the Museum of Arts and Design, New York
Taiye Idahor, Enitan 2018, photo paper collage, pen drawing and coloured pencil on paper, 112 × 80 cm, Collection of the artist. © Taiye Idahor. Photo: NGC
Taiye Idahor, Enitan 2018, photo paper collage, pen drawing and coloured pencil on paper, 112 × 80 cm, Collection of the artist. © Taiye Idahor. Photo: NGC
Qudus Onikeku, Right Here, Right Now (video still), 2017, video triptych, 13:09 min. National Gallery of Canada. Purchased 2018 (no. 48516). © Qudus Onikeku. Photo: with permission from the artist
Qudus Onikeku, Right Here, Right Now (video still), 2017, video triptych, 13:09 min. National Gallery of Canada. Purchased 2018 (no. 48516). © Qudus Onikeku. Photo: with permission from the artist
Sarah Sense, Sunset from Santiago to Atitlán, 2011, inkjet prints, photo silkscreen prints, 177.8 × 238.7 cm. Collection of the artist. ©Sarah Sense. Photo: NGC
Sarah Sense, Sunset from Santiago to Atitlán, 2011, inkjet prints, photo silkscreen prints, 177.8 × 238.7 cm. Collection of the artist. ©Sarah Sense. Photo: NGC
Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, Ikumagialiit [Those that need fire], 2019, collaborative performance by Cris Derksen, Jamie Griffiths, Christine Tootoo and Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory at the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, 16 November 2019 © the artists. Photo : NGC
Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, Ikumagialiit [Those that need fire], 2019, collaborative performance by Cris Derksen, Jamie Griffiths, Christine Tootoo and Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory at the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, 16 November 2019 © the artists. Photo : NGC
Joi T. Arcand, ᐆᑌᓃᑳᓅᕁ (ōtē nīkānōhk), 2018, installed at the National Gallery of Canada, 2019. Collection of the artist © Joi T. Arcand. Photo: NGC
Joi T. Arcand, ᐆᑌᓃᑳᓅᕁ (ōtē nīkānōhk), 2018, installed at the National Gallery of Canada, 2019. Collection of the artist © Joi T. Arcand. Photo: NGC
Àbadakone: Continuous Fire
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The word Àbadakone in the Algonquin language translates into “continuous fire” in English.
In keeping with the metaphor of fire ignited with Sakahán in 2013, the title Àbadakone was provided by the Elders Language Committee of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. They felt that its connotation of a fire within each artist that continues to burn would be an appropriate title for the second presentation of this ongoing series of exhibitions showcasing Indigenous art from around the world.
Art in Our
Public Spaces
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Something new and exciting has been happening at the Gallery! Since the opening of the exhibition last fall, you can experience art the moment you enter the Gallery. Works from Àbadakone | Continuous Fire | Feu continuel are on view from the Main Entrance, up the Colonnade to the Scotiabank Great Hall, and along the concourse leading to the Contemporary Art galleries.
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Mata Aho Collective, AKA (detail), installed at the National Gallery of Canada, 2019. Collection of the Collective © Mata Aho Collective Photo: NGC
Featured
Artists
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Barry Ace • Brian Adams • Leonce Raphael Agbodjélou • Joi T. Arcand • Shuvinai Ashoona • Pierre Aupilardjuk • Pierre Aupilardjuk & Shary Boyle • Rebecca Belmore • Jordan Bennett • Catherine Blackburn • Inger Blix Kvammen • Dempsey Bob • Edgar Calel • Manuel Chavajay • Hannah Claus • Dana Claxton • Melissa Cody • Ruth Cuthand • Thirza Cuthand • Mique’l Dangeli & Nick Dangeli • Dayna Danger • Jeneen Frei Njootli • Maureen Gruben • Helen Haig-Brown & Gwaai Edenshaw • Marja Helander • Sky Hopinka • Maria Hupfield • Taiye Idahor • Ursula Johnson • Eleng Luluan • Balu Jivya Mashe • Mata Aho Collective • Siwa Mgoboza • Dylan Miner • Tracey Moffatt • Caroline Monnet • Peter Morin • Zanele Muholi • Joar Nango • Marianne Nicolson • Eko Nugroho • Sayo Ogasawara • Qudus Onikeku • Inga-Wiktoria Påve & Anders Sunna • Fernando Poyón • Fredrik Prost • Skeena Reece • Peter Robinson • Evgeniy Salinder • Sarah Sense • Skawennati • Ningiukulu Teevee • Joseph Tisiga • Tribal Women Artists Cooperative • Lucy Tulugarjuk • Rajesh Chaitya Vangad & Gauri Gill • Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, Jamie Griffiths, Cris Derksen & Christine Tootoo • Will Wilson • Lisa Hageman Yahgujanaas
Featured Video
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On the unforgettable evening of November 7, 2019, the National Gallery of Canada launched Àbadakone | Continuous Fire | Feu continuel. Scotiabank Great Hall was filled to capacity as 3,600 guests joined more than fifty exhibiting artists from around the world, in the largest-ever opening event in the Gallery’s history. Experience the excitement in this video, which captures the evening’s joyous celebration of contemporary Indigenous art.
In the News
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“The flame of Indigenous art burns bright in Àbadakone.” — Artsfile
“. . . some of the most dramatic pieces ever installed in the gallery’s public spaces . . . ” — Ottawa Citizen
“Àbadakone gives Indigenous art its rightful place on the world stage. ” — The Art Newspaper
Want to explore further?
Dive into the exhibition through a virtual gallery, artists interviews, and other great features.
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