Nahanni is a Metis artist and photographer based on Treaty 7 Territory. Born and raised in the Banff, her creative practice has focused on National Parks and the human impact on surrounding natural environments as well as the decolonization of land.
Nahanni sees herself as a unique wildlife photographer making sculptures out of skulls and fur she brings awareness of the need to coexist with wildlife to prevent further harm to the land we reside on.
Nahanni is a photography graduate from Emily Carr University of Art & Design in Vancouver BC. She completed her Photography Practicum at the Banff Centre and is currently working full time as an artist creating artwork for galleries and publications internationally.
Nahanni participated in being the subject of Beyond Begbie, a ski film about mountain names and the responsibility of the outdoor community.
When she is not in her studio you can find her in the mountains somewhere.
CV:
Nahanni McKay . She/ Her
07.24.1994 . IG: @nahanster . Banff, AB . www.nahannimckay.com . nahanniphotography@gmail.com
E X H I B I T I O N S
2023, The Gift Shop, Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna BC (upcoming)
2023, Florence Biennale, Florence, Italy (upcoming)
2023, Homegrown, Town Hall, Banff, AB
2023, The Fence, Exposure Photography Festival, Calgary, AB
2022, Coexist, Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, Banff, AB
2022, Coexist, Galleria Exhibition, Edmonton, AB
2022, Dynamic Earth, Jane Kidner Gallery, Toronto, ON
2022, Coexist, Forest Spaces, Contact Photo Festival, Toronto, ON
2022, Personal Structures Exhibition, European Cultural Centre, Venice, Italy
2022, Solo Exhibition, The Little Cabin Gallery, Exposure Photography Festival, Banff AB
2022, Coexist, Arts Place, Canmore
2021, Open Studios, Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, Banff
2021, Solo Exhibition, Banff Public Library, Banff, AB
2021, Solo Exhibition, Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, Revelstoke, BC
2021, Local Artist Gallery, Modern Bakery, Revelstoke, BC
2021, Exposure Exhibition, King Edward Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
2021, InFocus Photo, Wild Skies Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta
2021, Local Artist Gallery, Wild Flour Bakery, Banff, Alberta
2020, Loop 14, N3XT CANADA Competition, Arts and Letters Club of Toronto, Toronto, ON
2020, Loop 14, Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition, multiple locations, curated by Shannon Bingeman
2020, Homegrown Art Show, Banff Town Hall, Banff
2020, Isolation Gallery, Various Location, Banff, Alberta
2020, EXPOSURE Photography Festival Emerging Artist Showcase, Contemporary Calgary, Calgary
2019, Exposure Photography Festival, RITUAL, Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, Banff
2019, Open Studios, Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, Banff
2018, Open Studios, Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, Banff
2018, Mountain Photography Residency, Project Space, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
2017, Open House, Photo Gallery, Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Vancouver
2017,The Show, Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Vancouver
2017, Aboriginal Show; Re-forming, Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Vancouver
2017, Prairie Social, Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Vancouver
2016, Pop Up Exhibition, Mitchell Press Gallery, Vancouver
2013, Foundation Show, Emily Carr University of Art & Design, Vancouver
2011, Through the Lens Photography, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff,
E D U C A T I O N
2019, Photography Practicum, Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity
2017, BFA with Photography, Emily Carr University of Art + Design
G R A N T S & A W A R D S
2022, The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Award for Emerging Art
2021, Honourable Mention, Landscape Award, Wild Skies Gallery
2020, N3XT CANADA FINALIST, Art Toronto
2020, EXPOSURE Festival's Emerging Photographers Showcase Award
2020, TREX Emerging Photographers Showcase Award
2017, Aboriginal Art Award, CIBC Foundation
2017, Koh-Verchere Graduation Award for Athletic and Creative Excellence
P A N E L S A N D T A L K S
2023. Coexist Artist Talk, Nahanni McKay & Cecilia Leddy, Coldsmoke Powder Festival, Nelson, BC
2022, Panellist, For The Love Of, Revelstoke
2022 Panellist, Snow Show Q&A, Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival
2022 Panellist, Indigenous Dialogs, Banff Mountain Film Festival
2022 Artist Talk, Coexist, Banff Mountain Film Festival
2022, Panellist, Indigenous Perspectives in Outdoor Spaces, Coalition Snow
2022, Artist Talk: Nahanni McKay, Grand Prairie College
2021, Leighton Studios Project, Consultant
2021, Nahanni McKay, Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre
2021, Youth Summit Virtual Campfire, Canadian Rockies Youth Network
2020, Habituate Acclimate, TREX Southwest Exhibition
R E S I D E N C I E S
2021, Akunumusǂitis : Ecological Engagement Through the Seasons, Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity
2020, Isolation Alliance, Murze Magazine, Digital Online Residency
2019, Mountain Photography Residency, The Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity
S E L E C T E D P R E S S
2022, Buff Blog, Creating Beyond Begbie with Nahanni McKay, Nat Segal
2022, Photographic Exhibit Showcases Challenges of Habitat for Both Humans and Wildlife, Jasper Fitzhugh, Scott Hayes
2022, Banff photographer picks up prestigious award, Rocky Mountain Outlook, Craig Baird
2022, Emerging artists honoured with Lt.-Gov. Awards, Calgary Herald
2022. Personal Structures Catalogue, The European Cultural Centre, Venice, Italy
2022, Artist Talk, TREX Exhibition, Virtual
2022, Collaboration Exhibition Opens at Arts Place, Evan Buler, Rocky Mountain Outlook
2021, Valley of Winchemka, Indigenous Issue, Canadian Geographic
2021, Nahanni McKay, SAD Magazine
2021, Loop 14, Indigenous Brilliance, The Room Magazine
2021, Nahanni McKay’s Dream, Katharine Erwin, 51 Degrees North Magazine
2021, Art for everyone: Variety of artists currently at Revelstoke gallery show, Jocelyn Doll, Revelstoke Review
2021, Nahanni McKay, Local Artist Receives Invitation to Venice, 106.5 Mountain FM
2020, Nahanni McKay, Loop 14, Habituate, Acclimate, Alberta Foundation of the Arts Travelling Exhibition Program catalogue
2020, If you don't laugh, you'll cry, A Bad Photo of Moraine Lake, DIY Youth
2020, Isolation Gallery, interview with Chelsea Kemp, Rocky Mountain Outlook
2020, Issue Eleven: Yugen, Murze
2020, Nahanni McKay, interview with Alexis Marie Chute, Artsy Monday Blog
2020, Issue Ten: Wildlife, Murze Magazine