Event Information

Sila is the first mid-career survey of renowned sculptor Billy Gauthier’s work outside of his home province of Newfoundland and Labrador. As an artist and activist of Inuit ancestry, Gauthier’s inspiration comes directly from an intimate connection with the land and culture of his home in North West River, Labrador. Join Darryn Doull on a special curated tour of Sila.

About the Curator

Darryn Doull is the curator of the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, with previous appointments as the Curator of Canadian Art at The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery in St. John’s, NL (2018-2021) and as the Assistant Curator of the Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery in Sarnia, ON (2010-16). His curatorial approach brings artworks, objects and archives together to produce poly-vocal, socially-engaged programming that is rooted in thorough research and collaboration. Recent projects include Helloland! Art, War and the Wireless Imagination (2021, co-curated with Melony Ward), Of Myths and Mountains (2020), and Billy Gauthier’s first solo exhibition in a public art gallery, Saunituinnaulungitotluni / Beyond Bone (2019, co-curated with Jessica Winters and Heather Igloliorte). Doull is a graduate of the MVS Curatorial Studies program at the University of Toronto (2018) and received an Honours BFA at the University of Guelph (2010). He is currently based in Toronto, Ontario.

Having the opportunity to work with Jessica on Gauthier’s major exhibition at The Rooms was an incredibly rewarding experience for Darryn. “We were able to invite Billy to join us in St. John’s for the last few days of the install and the opening, where he had the chance to visit with individuals who have supported his practice over the years. He was also finishing up a brand-new work. I watched as Billy carefully considered each material, form and relationship, finessing each to completion in the gallery workshop. It was the first of many intimate moments that I will never forget from this week.

Another came during Billy’s artist talk the day after the exhibition opened. Long sold out, the talk clearly changed everybody that was there to hear it. He led us through the exhibition, generously sharing stories about each work and where the inspiration to create comes from. Everything was grounded in his experience living on the land, practicing subsistence hunting and responsibly harvesting natural materials as needed. He spoke about his fear for the future and the harm we continue to inflict upon the world. It seemed everybody was left a little misty eyed and wanting to shake his hand or give him a hug. The way his artwork seems to have this capacity to bring people together, across generations and backgrounds, is a reflection of his personality.”

Related Programs

Curatorial Talk and Tour with Darryn Doull | 12 September

Curatorial Tours are generously sponsored by the Gamble Family.                

1) Billy Gauthier, Swimming Loons (My Tribute to Kenojuak Ashevak), 2010. Muskox horn, moose antler, serpentine, labradorite. 45.7 x 45.7 x 30.5 cm. Collection of Chris Bredt and Jamie Cameron. Photo courtesy of Spirit Wrestler Gallery.

2) Photo by Danny Alexander