I. Me. Mine.

In 2008 Calgary’s original artist-run centre initiated a unique mentorship program to provide post-secondary art students in Calgary with an opportunity to work closely with professional artists in developing and presenting a thematic curatorial project. This initiative affords ACAD and University of Calgary students a chance to engage as colleagues in order to present a professional gallery show in The New Gallery main space at Art Central. Currently in its fifth iteration, TNG’s student curatorial initiative is pleased to present I. Me. Mine, an exhibition curated by Evan Smibert (U of C), and featuring new photo and installation work by Colby Jones, Mohammad Rezaei and Alia Shahab (ACAD). This exhibition explores issues of identity - How is identity constructed? What does it mean to be human? Are we self directed, independent individuals? What is the nature of the self? Is identity biological or spiritual in origin?

Alia Shahab’s Perspectives of Perception is an interactive installation that explores a fluid, visual perception of identity. Images from the past and present are cast upon a video projection of an eye manifesting how our past can obscure the present moment.

Mohammad Rezaei’s piece Which I?, is a constructed space demonstrating how identity is shaped and transformed in different environments. The saturated black and white imagery embodies the essence of being or true nature, upon which we construct our identity.

Colby Jones’ Twin series of photographs illustrate a struggle for identity as identical twins mature into adults. How does one come to terms with who they were, are and want to be?