Dana Claxton: Buffalo Bone China

May 23 to September 13, 2009

Guest Lecture: June 24, 2009 @ 7:45pm – Dr. Carmen Robertson
“Smashing China: Resistance and Engagement in Dana Claxton’s Art.” For more information, click here.

Buffalo Bone China (1997) is an experimental video that metaphorically recalls First Nations peoples' loss of the buffalo and the historical use of buffalo bone to make fine china. Specifically the work refers to British colonial practices that resulted in the decimation of the buffalo, and the devastating effects upon First Nations people who relied heavily on the buffalo for their survival. Buffalo bones were gathered into huge piles on the prairie and some bones were exported to England to be used in the production of fine bone china.

Dana Claxton was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan and is a member of the Hunkpapa Lakota Nation. She is a curator and an interdisciplinary artist whose challenging works have strong political messages. Her work includes film and video, installation, performance and photography. She has exhibited her work in prominent galleries across North America and is held in public collections, including the Vancouver Art Gallery, Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Canada Council Art Bank of Canada. Her work has been screened internationally, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Walker Art Center (Minneapolis). Her work has also been screened at Sundance Festival and Microwave in Hong Kong. She currently resides in Vancouver.

Image Credit:

Dana Claxton
Buffalo Bone China, 1997
one channel installation, video and mixed media
Collection of the MacKenzie Art Gallery, purchased with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts Acquisition Assistance Program

Organized by the MacKenzie Art Gallery with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Saskatchewan Arts Board and the City of Regina Arts Commission

Dana Claxton: Buffalo Bone China

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