Kira Alexanian (she/her) is a mixed media artist and craftsperson who works out of both Guelph and Hamilton, Ontario.
To her, art is a space to reflect, grow, and if necessary, escape. Observations drawn from life and imagery formed in fantasy are channeled into a variety of mediums. Kira excitedly experiments with painting, drawing, textile work, and sculpture, with a free and intuitive spirit. By making space for playful experimentation, her work often possesses a childlike sense of wonder. A recent graduate of the University of Guelph Studio Art program, Kira aims to further explore the possibilities of her practice, all while exhibiting across the province. By doing so, she will further develop her audience, emphasizing the importance one’s own excited observations and uninhibited imagination.
Land Acknowledgment
So-called Guelph serves as the treaty lands and territory with the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This land has remained as a place of refuge and tradition for the Attiwonderonk and Haudenosaunee peoples throughout history.
The land which we call Hamilton, is situated on the traditional territiories of Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, and Haudenosaunee. Both Guelph and Hamilton are covered with the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabek to share and care for the resources surrounding the Great Lakes.
As an artist whose practice is largely based in both Guelph and Hamilton, I recognize my privilege and responsibility as a guest on this stolen land. I often create art that reflects upon the natural environment that surrounds me, which I recognize as land bursting with a rich history, culture, and spiritual importance long before settler contact. As creatives, it is of immense importance that we recognize the stories and traditions embedded in the lands which we now live, all while caring for and preserving the resources our surrounding environments hold. Furthermore, we must constantly aim to move towards truth and reconciliation for the indigenous peoples surrounding us.