Adrian Stimson solo Exhibition “Naked Napi” at SUM gallery

About the Exhibition Napi is a character from traditional stories of the Siksika (Blackfoot) nation. Often referred to as the “Old Man” who came from the sun, Napi alongside the “Old Woman” are known as quasi-creators in these stories. Naked Napi presents Adrian Stimson’s new site specific installation and is Stimson’s first solo exhibition since being awarded the Governor General’s Award in Visual and Media Arts earlier this year. Through this new work, Stimson reimagines the traditional tales of Napi in the present—where the intersections of indigeneity, sexuality and Two-Spirit identities are drawn to the forefront. It is a display of reclamation that challenges the colonial erasure of Indigenous bodies, power and sexual histories. About the Artist A member of the Siksika (Blackfoot) Nation, Adrian Stimson is a Two-Spirit interdisciplinary artist who has exhibited works both nationally and internationally. Having attended three residential schools in his life, Stimson draws upon his lived experiences to investigate themes of cultural fragility, sexuality, genocide and resilience. Stimson achieves this radical examination of intersecting themes through avenues of performance art, painting and installation work. Stimson was awarded the Governor General’s award in Visual Arts in 2018, the Blackfoot Visual Arts Award in 2009, the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2003, the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005, and the REVEAL Indigenous Arts Award –Hnatyshyn Foundation in 2017. About SUM Gallery SUM Gallery is one of the only permanent spaces worldwide dedicated to the presentation of queer art. SUM produces, presents and exhibits with a curatorial vision favouring challenging, thought-provoking multidisciplinary work that pushes boundaries and initiates dialogue. Internationally-known for producing the annual Queer Arts Festival, recognized as one of the top festivals of its kind worldwide (Melbourne Herald Sun), SUM brings diverse communities together to support artistic risk-taking, incite creative collaboration and experimentation and celebrate the rich heritage of queer artists and art.