Anti-racism art project makes Winnipeg its exhibit space

WINNIPEG — A Winnipeg artist is hoping to combat negative stereotypes of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people with a photo series called Perception.

The project features various indigenous people in Winnipeg sharing their stories and aims to document a different perspective while starting positive conversation.

“I’m taking photos of close up faces and we all respond to faces,” said Winnipeg-based visual artist KC Adams.

Adams shows each model in two different pictures.

WATCH: Artist KC Adams works with model on Perception series

“What I’m saying on the left side photo is… racial slurs or stereotypes at them which will hurt,” said Adams. “I ask them to not act and to think about my words… I’m focused on the eyes.”

For the second photo, she asks models to think about something positive in their lives. The second photo is supposed to be an actual representation of the person.

“I just want people to realize… there’s so much more than just their hair colour or the colour of their skin, there’s that person inside that has feelings,” said model Renee McGurry.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I just want people to realize… there's so much more than just their hair colour or the colour of their skin, there's that person inside that has feelings," said model Renee McGurry.

Adams started the project last summer and coincidentally released the photos the weekend that 15-year-old Tina Fontaine’s body was found in the Red River.

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READ MORE: Missing teen murdered, dumped in river: police

After posting the photos on social media, Adams was contacted by Urban Shaman Gallery, an artist-run centre in Winnipeg that wanted to get involved.

The public project will launch not long after Winnipeg was profiled in national news magazine Maclean’s as possibly the most racist city in Canada, and as the conversation surrounding missing and murdered indigenous women continues.

READ MORE: Mayor breaks down during response to Winnipeg racism article

The series will spread across Winnipeg for six weeks starting March 19. First the photos will appear on building video screens, then on bus shelters and eventually on billboards.

Adams is working with Urban Shaman Gallery to raise $30,000 to allow similar projects to be done in future years, with a goal of making a positive difference in the city.

“To look at other opportunities that we can do, partnering with the city and others in the city to be able to use art as a way to be able to talk about issues in our city,” said president of Urban Shaman Gallery Marcel Balfour.

The city and organizations such as United Way of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Foundation and the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce are currently helping to support the project.

A crowdfunding campaign will also be launched to raise money to showcase the photos.