Ursula Johnson, one of the six artists whose works are currently on show at the Khyber Centre for the Arts as part of Snapshot: East Coast Contemporary Aboriginal Art, will be giving a 45-minute interactive presentation at 6:30 p.m. on Monday July 23 at the Mi’kmaq Native Friendship Centre on 2158 Gottingen Street.  The presentation will include storytelling of Mi’kmaq myths and legends as well as several songs.

 

Born in Sydney, Cape Breton and raised in Eskasoni First Nation, her graduation from NSCAD in 2006 made her the first member of her family to receive a postsecondary education. 

 

Ursula, who describes herself as ‘an artist who is aboriginal’ rather than an aboriginal artist, has earned recognition through a body of work that has focused on preserving and perpetuating the traditional art forms of her Mi’kmaw heritage.  Having learned the art of basket making from her great grandmother, Catherine Gould who was a renowned basketmaker, Ursula continues the evolution of the medium, experimenting with it by creating both sculptural forms as well as traditional baskets. 

 

In February 2012, Ursula was artist in residence at Mount Saint Vincent University.  In January 2011, Ursula curated a 30-year retrospective show of the works of Catherine Gould at the Mary E. Black Gallery. In October 2010, she contributed an elaborate performance piece, Elmeit (Mi’kmaq for ‘to go home’) to Nocturne.

 

Ursula is also the subject of a documentary by Mi’kmaq filmmaker, Catherine Martin, that was commissioned for Snapshot.  The documentary can be viewed at the Khyber as part of the exhibit, along with Ursula’s work