In his exhibition Dark Chapters\, David Garneau presents meticulously \;rendered \;metaphorical&nbs p\;still life \;paintings \;of objects set in intriguing\, deliber ate arrangements. These configurations \;illustrate \;the intertwi ned reality of modern and traditional Indigenous life alongside the compli cated ramifications of colonization. \;Garneau titled the exhibition D ark Chapters \;to \;conjure \;Justice Murray Sinclair&rsquo\;s description of the residential school system \;in the \;Reports&n bsp\;of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission \;as &ldquo\;one of th e darkest\, most troubling chapters in our nation&rsquo\;s history.&rdquo\ ; \;As with traditional still life \;painting\, the items in Garne au&rsquo\;s work carry deep \;significance\, associations\, and storie s. \;The titles of Garneau&rsquo\;s paintings are also an important pa rt of his meaning-making\, which guide viewers toward understanding \; his \;intention \;while prompting thoughtful dialogue around \ ;reconciliation. \;
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David Garneau (Mé\;tis Nation of Saskatchewan) is a Professor of Visual Arts at the University of Regina. He is a painter\, curator\, and writer who engages creative and c ritical expressions of Indigenous contemporary ways of knowing\, being\, a nd doing. \;He received the Governor General&rsquo\;s Award in Visual and Media Art: Outstanding Achievement\, was inducted into the Royal Socie ty of Canada (both 2023)\, and received The Order of Gabriel Dumont Silver Medal and King Charles III Coronation Medal (both 2025). \;
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Dark Chapters \;is a touring exhibition curated by Arin Fay \;from the Nelson
Museum Archives &\; Gallery. It \;is \;accompanied by a publica
tion of the same name.