Bear Claws Salad Hands
Bear Claws Salad Hands
By Sameer Farooq + Mirjam Linschooten
Canadian artist Sameer Farooq and Dutch artist Mirjam Linschooten work collaboratively to examine the ways in which cultural diversity is narrated and represented through various forms of collecting, interpretation and display. Over a series of research trips via the CAG Burrard Marina Field House Studio Residency Program, the artists have developed two newly commissioned installations for CAG and the Yaletown-Roundhouse Station working with the Native Youth Program at the Museum of Anthropology.
In Yaletown Farooq and Linschooten repurpose found language from local souvenir shops that sell a plethora of Canadian “knick-knacks” , cultural reproductions which capitalize on perceptions of Vancouver’s identity. Through the simple act of selecting and reproducing the language of these stores inventory lists, they highlight the active commodification of culture which reinforces hierarchy, difference and discrimination.
Farooq and Linschooten have exhibited in Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey. Recent projects include The Figure in the Carpet, Blackwood Gallery, Toronto (2015); Faux Guide, Trankat, Morocco and Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, Artellewa, Cairo (2014); The Museum of Found Objects, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto and Sanat Limani, Istanbul (2011-10).
Generously supported by the BC Arts Council Innovations Program, the Mondriaan Fund, Ontario Arts Council and the Hamber Foundation.
