I am interested in the invisible walls that delineate our collective ideas of wilderness. The word paradise can be traced to the ancient Persian word Pairidaeza, which refers to a walled enclosure, pleasure park or garden. When Banff National Park was founded in 1887, the area was officially designated as a “pleasure ground”, the same term used to describe the part of an English garden dedicated solely to the enjoyment of its owner. Jon Muir once referred to the North American continent in its entirety as a wild garden. What does it mean that this “garden” has been stolen, sliced and sold as a quintessential national pastime over the past 150 years? My works reflect on how outdoor experiences bring a sense of joy, and the contradictory frameworks that have paved the way for this enjoyment.
At Katzman Art Projects until Nov. 5th
