Artist Talk speaker examines complex issues of labour

Artist Kristin Nelson will be the next speaker in NIC’s online 2021 Artist Talk series, appearing Feb. 24 at 11 am. For the full schedule and link to attend the Artist Talk Online Series, visit https://nicart.tickit.ca/. (Above: Drink, 2019 – by Kristin Nelson. Image courtesy of Neutral Ground)

 

Artist Kristin Nelson uses common objects to explore the complex social and political issues in the context of intellectual, artistic and manual labour.

She will be the fourth speaker in NIC’s Artist Talk online series, Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 11 am.

“Kristin’s prolific work is a great example of how, as artists, our approach to creating can illuminate our understanding of issues that are mired in various societal and political factors,” said Sara Vipond, NIC School of Fine Art department chair. “We’re honoured to have this artist join us for our series.”

Born in Ajax, Ont., Nelson received her BFA in Visual Arts from the Emily Carr Institute of Art + Design in 2003 and completed her MFA at Concordia University in 2014.

Since completing her academic training, Nelson has embarked on an impressive career that includes artist residencies at Riding Mountain (Manitoba, 2017), Artspace (Sydney, Australia, 2015) and the Banff Centre for the Arts (2008). Nelson has also exhibited work across Canada and North America.

As a self-identified queer person with a disability, Nelson seeks to question the value of mass-manufactured objects by putting them through an artistic practice in the art gallery/commodity context.

“Often, my attempt is to reposition how we value labour beyond a Capitalist or Marxist value approach,” Nelson said of her work. “This repositioning of labour – as seen through a disability studies lens – places value on the body itself, instead of on what the labouring body produces.”

Artist Talk presentations offer insight into each artist’s professional art practice. The talks are 1 hour in length followed by a short question period. The winter 2021 series is being held online via Zoom, with a range of dates and times chosen to align with NIC Fine Art and Digital Design + Development classes.

The events are free and open to everyone.

Upcoming speakers for the 2021 Artist Talk series include:

For the link to attend and the full schedule of speakers, visit https://nicart.tickit.ca.