Patricia Deadman: Along the Grand
5 September to 29 November 2026
Curated by Darryn Doull
Deadman’s process-oriented approach to making artwork and her particular understanding of land was grounded in her awareness of herself, the environment, and her relationships with people. In her own words:
“The landscape represents a sense of place where physical, spiritual, or psychological connections to the land may become apparent. As resources are consumed for profit, the consequences of these actions inevitably affect the individual. The photographic image becomes a representation of what we take for granted as our memory becomes forgetful of what is real.”
Borrowing its title from one of Deadman’s works (a proposed donation for 2026), the exhibition is anchored by a 2025 donation of six works to the KWAG Permanent Collection. It is also a timely reflection on the waterways of this region as they face increasing stress from population and economic demands. Deadman, though, encourages each of us to develop our own nuanced understandings of land and relations. She reflects: “the land is a very personal experience and one that's closest to my heart, something that I can identify with. There is respect and a concern for how we treat the land. I look closely at how people misuse or appropriate the land, and the issues of ownership and power and control.”
Take a walk Along the Grand and reflect on your own physical, spiritual, or psychological connections to this place.
About the Artist
Patricia Deadman (1961–2024) was a celebrated lens-based visual artist, curator, and writer at the Woodland Cultural Centre (WCC) (Brantford, ON). Born in Ohsweken, Ontario, her passion for art played an instrumental role in the preservation and evolution of Indigenous Art. With a Fine Art Diploma from Fanshawe College (London, ON) and a BFA from the University of Windsor (Windsor, ON), she brought over twenty years of curatorial practice to the WCC. Beginning as Curatorial Intern at the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery (Toronto, ON); Curator-in-Residence at Museum London (London, ON); Curator at MacKenzie Art Gallery (Regina, SK) and former Director/Curator at Woodstock Art Gallery (Woodstock, ON). She curated numerous independent projects and was selected for the Aboriginal Curators Delegation to the Sydney Biennale, Venice Biennale, and Basel Art Fair awarded by the Canada Council for the Arts. She participated in numerous artist residencies, including Banff, Alberta; Paris, France; Merida and Oaxaca, Mexico. Her works are in numerous public and private collections.
Image Credits
Header Image:
Patricia Deadman (Canadian-Tuscarora, 1961-2024). The Four Jingle Dancers (detail), 1989. Colour photo with latex paint, graphite and melted beeswax, 15 x 10 cm. Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery Permanent Collection: Gift of Patricia Deadman, 2025. © The Estate of Patricia Deadman. Used by permission. Photo by Scott Lee.
Featured Images:
Patricia Deadman (Canadian-Tuscarora, 1961-2024). Anticipation, 1989. Colour photo with latex paint, graphite and melted beeswax, 10 x 15 cm. Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery Permanent Collection: Gift of Patricia Deadman, 2025. © The Estate of Patricia Deadman. Used by permission. Photo by Scott Lee.
Patricia Deadman (Canadian-Tuscarora, 1961-2024). Glimpses of Crimson, 1990. Colour photo with latex paint, graphite and melted beeswax, 15 x 10 cm. Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery Permanent Collection: Gift of Patricia Deadman, 2025. © The Estate of Patricia Deadman. Used by permission. Photo by Scott Lee.
Patricia Deadman (Canadian-Tuscarora, 1961-2024). The Four Jingle Dancers, 1989. Colour photo with latex paint, graphite and melted beeswax, 15 x 10 cm. Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery Permanent Collection: Gift of Patricia Deadman, 2025. © The Estate of Patricia Deadman. Used by permission. Photo by Scott Lee.
Patricia Deadman (Canadian-Tuscarora, 1961-2024). The Shawl Dancer: A Cobalt Turmoil, 1989. Colour photo with latex paint, graphite and melted beeswax, 15 x 10 cm. Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery Permanent Collection: Gift of Patricia Deadman, 2025. © The Estate of Patricia Deadman. Used by permission. Photo by Scott Lee.
Patricia Deadman (Canadian-Tuscarora, 1961-2024). Group Consultation, 1989. Colour photo with latex paint, graphite and melted beeswax, 15 x 10 cm. Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery Permanent Collection: Gift of Patricia Deadman, 2025. © The Estate of Patricia Deadman. Used by permission. Photo by Scott Lee.
Patricia Deadman (Canadian-Tuscarora, 1961-2024). Untitled #4 (Paris Medici), 2007. 8-piece polyptych of non-manipulated colour negative photographs, 203.2 x 121.9 cm. Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery Permanent Collection: Gift of Patricia Deadman, 2025. © The Estate of Patricia Deadman. Used by permission. Photo by Scott Lee.
