The University of Victoria Legacy Art Galleries in Victoria, B.C. is seeking an emerging Japanese Canadian curator or artist to work on an exhibition featuring the paintings of Dr. Henry Shimizu. Dr. Shimizu and his family were uprooted from Prince Rupert, B.C. and incarcerated in New Denver in the Kootenay region during World War II. They saw their property sold without their permission, and were forced into exile at the end of the war. Henry was 14 years old at the beginning of the uprooting. He went on to become one of Canada’s leading plastic surgeons. Decades later, he reflected on his New Denver experience through a series of 27 paintings that will be featured in the exhibit.
This opportunity will provide valuable professional experience for an emerging curator who will work with Dr. Shimizu to present these paintings at the Legacy Art Gallery in downtown Victoria in an exhibition based on the theme “Out of Exile” in May 2022. The candidate will also have the opportunity to work with Bryce Kanbara, 2021 recipient of the Governor’s General Award for Visual and Media Arts, who will act as a mentor for the project, as well as with Legacy Art Gallery’s professional staff.
The project will require the curator to work over zoom to connect with Bryce Kanbara and Henry Shimizu. The curator will conduct research and interviewing while considering new ideas and context for presenting the art. They will write the exhibition and promotional text and plan how the layout of the exhibition. If the situation allows (pending easing of pandemic restrictions), we may be able to bring the curator to Victoria to assist in the installation of the exhibition and take part in an opening.
Honoraria: $3500
Requirements:
A Japanese Canadian artist or aspiring curator under the age of 35. They will possess the following:
- Knowledge of Japanese Canadian history and interest in social justice and issues related to intergenerational trauma.
- Excellent writing skills
- Strong track record of meeting deadlines
- Appreciation for the prospect of this mentorship and be open to feedback
- Ability to work on the project over a period between summer 2021 and spring 2022 during which they dedicate approximately 120 hours to the venture
Please send a letter of interest and resume by April 15 2021 to:
Mary Jo Hughes, Director
University of Victoria Legacy Art Galleries
At the University of Victoria Legacy Art Galleries “Art works for Issues that Matter”. We assist the academic and cultural development of the university and broader community by caring for, researching and exhibiting art for the pursuit and communication of knowledge. As a leader in cultural and academic collaborations, Legacy reaches across disciplines, within and beyond the university to engage visitors in learning and dialogue.
