Nahanni
Nahanni McKay is a Métis artist based in Banff Alberta. Nahanni produces photographic images of objects that take the shape of spirits around her home of Treaty 7 in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. The work she has produced aims to discuss the need to decolonize the complicated National Park system. Her work is in relation to the human impact of the natural environment by creating an unsettling image to be observed by the viewer. McKay is mesmerized by the beauty of her hometown and how the mountains attract a colonial desire to commercialize and conquer this sacred place.
Since graduating from the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2017, Nahanni McKays’ photographic and sculptural work has been exhibited extensively across Canada and Europe. Recent exhibitions include Hole 8 at the European Cultural Centre, (Venice) and Loop 14 was exhibited at the Contemporary Calgary as well as Art Toronto in 2020. McKay has received several awards including the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Emerging Artist Award in 2022. The artist's work is included in the permanent collection of the Alberta Foundation of the Arts.
Nahanni is an avid skier and has taken part in a film project called Beyond Begbie, being released February 2024.
CV:
Nahanni McKay . She/ Her
07.24.1994 . IG: @nahanster . Banff, AB . www.nahannimckay.com . nahanniphotography@gmail.com
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
S E L E C T E D S O L O & D U O E X H I B I T I O N S
2024, The General Store, ArtsPlace, Canmore, AB
2024, The General Store, Art Gallery of Golden, Golden BC
2024, The General Store, Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna BC
2022, Coexist, Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, Banff, AB
2022, Coexist, Galleria Exhibition, Edmonton, AB
2022, Coexist, Forest Spaces, Contact Photo Festival, Toronto, ON
2022, Coexist, Arts Place, Canmore, AB
2021, The Beekeeper, Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, Revelstoke, BC
2020, Loop 14, Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition, multiple locations, curated by Shannon Bingeman
2019, Exposure Photography Festival, RITUAL, Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity, Banff
S E L E C T E D G R O U P E X H I B I T I O N S
2024, Here & Now, Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, AB
2024, Body, Alberta Society of the Arts, Exposure Photography Festival, Calgary, AB
2023, Mountain Sounds, Arts Place, Canmore, AB
2023, Florence Biennale, Florence, Italy
2023, Homegrown, Town of Banff, Banff, AB
2023, The Fence, Exposure Photography Festival, Calgary, AB
2022, Dynamic Earth, Jane Kidner Gallery, Toronto, ON
2022, Personal Structures Exhibition, European Cultural Centre, Venice, Italy
2021, Solo Exhibition, Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, Revelstoke, BC
2021, Exposure Exhibition, King Edward Gallery, Calgary, Alberta
2021, InFocus Photo, Wild Skies Gallery, Edmonton, Alberta
2020, Loop 14, N3XT CANADA Competition, Arts and Letters Club of Toronto, Toronto, ON
2020, Homegrown Art Show, Banff Town Hall, Banff
2020, EXPOSURE Photography Festival Emerging Artist Showcase, Contemporary Calgary, Calgary
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,
G R A N T S & A W A R D S
2024, Visual Arts & New Media Project Grant, Cuniculus
2023, Queens Platinum Jubilee Medal
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
2024 The General Store, Artist Talk, Nahanni McKay & Ben Evely, Kelowna Art Gallery
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
2020, Habituate Acclimate, TREX Southwest Exhibition
C O L L E C T I O N S
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
R E S I D E N C I E S
2024, Debris from Ice and Fire Project, International Partnership in Support of Arts Creation (ISAC) and the 2022 – 2024 Canada-Korea Connections, Jasper National Park
2023, Guest Faculty, Akunumusǂitis : Ecological Engagement Through the Seasons, Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity
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
P R O F E S S I O N A L E X P E R I E N C E
2023, Guest Faculty, Akunumusǂitis : Ecological Engagement Through the Seasons, Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity
Gallery Preparator, Canada House Gallery, 2022-23