Rebels & Iconoclasts: Shirley Madill on Robert Houle

From his experience growing up on the Sandy Bay First Nation/Kaa-wii-kwe-tawang-kak in Manitoba to his studies, exhibitions, curatorial work, and residencies, Saulteaux artist Robert Houle has had a meaningful influence on the field of contemporary art and Indigenous culture. With an emotional desire to free ceremonial objects from relegation to anthropological artifacts, Houle made a promise to devote his art career to changing perspectives on what constitutes contemporary Indigenous art through his artistic and curatorial practice. Shirley Madill is executive director of the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery. Prior she was director/curator, Rodman Hall Art Centre; CEO, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria; chief curator/director of programming and vice-president, Art Gallery of Hamilton; and curator of contemporary art and photography, Winnipeg Art Gallery. To read Robert Houle: Life & Work by Shirley Madill, visit www.aci-iac.ca.