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 escape, reflect, and grow. Whimsical imagery is channeled into a variety of mediums - an organized mess of textile work, sculpture and painting. Upon graduating from UofG’s Studio Art program in 2023, Kira has participated in a variety of exhibitions and, most notably, gained representation at the Carnegie Gallery in Dundas, Ontario.
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.