Canadian First Nations Art discussion

Aug 03, 2005

The Centre for Canadian-Australian Studies and the Identity and Cultural Transformations Group presented an evening discussion by Canadian art historian Rocque Berthiaume on 2 August.

Mr Berthiaume presented a discussion on "The Politics of Place in Canada:Contemporary Northwest Coast First Nations Art".

He explored the diverse art for the Native peoples of the Northwest Coast of British Columbia through two slide shows.

Mr Berthiaume is the curator for the much anticipated People of the Cedar exhibition to be held at the National Museum of Australia in early 2006. The show will explore the cultural, practical and spiritual significance of the cedar plant to First Nations peoples in British Columbia.

Rocque Berthiaume is a lecturer in art history, sociology and anthropology at the University of Northern British Columbia, Capilano College and Northwest Community College. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Carleton University, Ottawa, in 1981 followed by a Masters in Sociology and Anthropology in 1996.

He is currently working on a PhD in Art History and Visual Art at the University of British Columbia. He has published primarily in the area of Canadian society and First Nations art, and has focused his study on the peoples of the Northwestern British Columbian Coast.