Among the Birches is a co-curated exhibit of artwork by Two-Spirit Mi’kmaw artist Jessica Jerome, from the Mi’kmaw community of Gesgapegiag, Quebec, and by the Polish-Jewish Zapomniane (Forgotten) Foundation, represented by Aleksandra Janus and Aleksander Schwarz.
Anchored by the imagery of birch trees, the exhibit will feature oil paintings, photographs and material culture, and will integrate the use of English, Mi’kmaw and Polish languages. Through this exhibit, the artists will reflect on the legacies of Mi’kmaw and Jewish traumatic histories, and explore different approaches to the role of community-based art in the preservation of memory and cultural heritage.
The exhibit will be open to the public and it will remain on view until November 7.
Jessica Jerome is a Mi’kmaw Two-Spirit artist from the Mi’kmaw community of Gesgapegiag, Quebec. Since 2004, Jessica has used oil painting as a creative outlet to support mental wellness and encourages others to discover their own pathways to healing and self-expression. In addition to being a visual artist, Jessica works as a freelance graphic designer and children’s book illustrator. Deeply connected to Mi’kmaw culture, Jessica draws inspiration from traditional teachings, community and lived experiences. Being a wife and mother of two boys also plays a significant role in shaping Jessica’s artistic vision and creative work.
Zapomniane (Forgotten) Foundation represented by Aleksandra Janus & Aleksander Schwarz is a Jewish NGO based in Poland, dedicated to locating, researching and commemorating forgotten Holocaust burial sites in accordance with Jewish religious law. The Foundation combines innovative non-invasive research methods with artistic community-based approaches to commemoration.
Through education and local engagement, it works to restore the memory of Holocaust victims and integrate these sites into local memory cultures. Since 2014, it has identified around 300 previously uncommemorated sites, marked over 100 and permanently commemorated more than a dozen.
This is part of our ongoing series this fall called “Fostering Indigenous-Jewish Dialogue in Mi’kma’ki: A Two-Eyed Seeing/Etuaptmumk Approach.” The series is being organized by Dr. Dorota Glowacka in collaboration with Dalhousie’s Jewish Studies Department, MSVU’s Two-Eyed Seeing Program, and other university and community partners. It takes place October 25 to 27 and involves events open to the public—including a keynote roundtable at the Halifax Central Library and a screening of two films and conversation.
“Fostering Indigenous-Jewish Dialogue in Mi’kma’ki: A Two-Eyed Seeing/Etuaptmumk Approach” will also include workshops for students and workshops for faculty and staff on the topics of: language destruction and revitalization, material culture, and restitution and return of cultural objects. For information about the workshops please contact Dr. Glowacka at dorota.glowacka@ukings.ca.
