2024
RITA McKEOUGH born 1951 in Antigonish, NS…
McKeough juxtaposes love and social activism, and it is that dynamic around which many of her installations revolve.
Hotdogs in hospital beds, singing flowers, mittens that bleed, a squirrel the size of a human, clocks spinning out of control, sentient carrots—welcome to the inventive, whimsical, profound world of Rita McKeough. In choosing McKeough as this year’s recipient of the Gershon Iskowitz Prize, the jury recognizes a trail-blazing artist whose five-decades-long career has left an indelible impression on all who have crossed her path.
The foreword to McKeough’s 2018 monograph Work, written collaboratively by Vicky Chau, Desiree Nault and Ginger Carison, begins with a rather eloquent summation of her career:
“McKeough is known to many as a teacher, role model, mentor and a nurturer of all things. A major contributor to the Canadian arts milieu for over 40 years, McKeough’s multidisciplinary practice delves deeply into a breadth of issues that spans both human and nonhuman experience. Consistently, she grounds her work in feminist politics and ethics, queer and gender-fluid identities and experiences, environmental issues and the increasing vulnerability of the Earth’s various inhabitants. Her work is personal and intimate, but her politic is vast and encompassing. She uses humour, tragedy and empathy throughout her oeuvre to empower audiences and enact social change. Employing care and curiosity, McKeough continues to focus her practice on giving voice to those who have been and continue to be marginalized, underrepresented and underprivileged.”
Born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, in 1951, McKeough was educated at the University of Calgary and the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. In addition to being an artist and musician, she has taught in Calgary, Winnipeg, Sackville and Halifax, and led and participated in numerous residencies.
McKeough is a shape-shifting magician—a drummer, educator, community organizer, radio DJ, printmaker, performance artist and sculptor. She is a maker of immersive, impressive, multi-sensory installations which have been presented at artist-run centres, museums, galleries and festivals across the country. Her work is deeply felt, labour-intensive, beautifully made, and has the unique combination of being both collaborative in nature while declaring a singular vision. Rita McKeough is a storyteller and a connector of people and has had a deep and lasting impact on generations of artists across the country.
McKeough juxtaposes love and social activism, and it is that dynamic around which many of her installations revolve. She uses endurance and absurdity to break down our guards, priming us to enter her very serious, compassionate world. Her work is both human and humane—to experience an installation by Rita McKeough is to be changed.
Micah Lexier
JURY MEMBERS
June Clark
Stephan Jost
Micah Lexier
Liz Magor (2014 Gershon Iskowitz Prize)
Rita McKeough, performance still from Long Haul, Toronto, ON, 2006. Photograph by Dave Kemp, courtesy 7a11d Festival.
All images courtesy the artist.
Photo of Rita McKeough by Rita Taylor.
The information is current to the date when the artist received the Prize; for current information, please see the artist’s and/or gallery’s website.