Works in Progress by Dayna Danger
In this work artist Dayna Danger brings a unique series of portraits that integrate complex black matt and glossy beadwork woven into leather BDSM masks. Each highly detailed mask incorporates personalized symbols directly linked to the Indigenous individuals represented in the photographs. The intricate chain of time consuming and tedious beadwork was carried out with love by Indigenous relations among Danger’s community namely, Tricia Livingston, Nicole Redstar, and Rudi Acker. Danger includes Indigenous people with variant gender expressions to create spaces for bodies and identities that have been historically violently erased by settler colonialism. Similarly to a BDSM scene, Dayna carefully negotiates each photograph with the highest respect between them and their participants in studio. These 60 by 75 inch portraits take up as much space as possible to confront the viewer and contradict the identities that are typically viewed, the control that settler’s seek over Indigenous bodies, institutionalized sexualities, and reaffirm consensual practices while empowering Indigenous individuals in a kink context. Masks is a continuing artistic and healing process created as an act of resistance and resilience, towards colonial interpretations and language, integral to reforging socially visible identities. Much like the entirety of Danger’s practice, this series thrives off of collaboration and community engagement.
See Dayna Danger work:
Ke'tapekiaq Ma’qimikew: The Land Sings / La terre chante In collaboration with Ursula Johnson On until January 12, 2019 SBC Gallery of Contemporary Art Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, QC, H3B 1A2 Canada
StretchMark: A New Chapter Acquisition Project December 1, 2018 – March 24, 2019 Organized by Art Gallery of Alberta
Let’s talk about sex, bb Co-curated by Erin Sutherland + Carina Magazzeni April 27 – August 4, 2019 Agnes Etherington Art Centre Katarokwi/Kingston, Ontario, Canada
Find Dayna Danger: Instagram / Twitter / Facebook: @gaynadanger Website: www.daynadanger.com