A Long Dramatic Pause

April 25
Grotto | 2-2:30 PM

A Long Dramatic Pause is a live performance that explores strategies of resistance against ultranationalism and far-right politics through the languages of photography and theatre. Performed by Cindy Ansah and co-developed with artist Erdem Taşdelen, the narrative comprises twelve dramatic scenes that describe a photographic image, never showing it directly but rather bringing it to life through re-enactment and visual analysis.

At the heart of the photograph being described is a young woman, a figure of solidarity and defiance with whom the audience can identify. As the performer moves between observing and embodying this antifascist figure, the narrative gradually implicates the audience as if they had been unknowing protagonists in the image all along. With this, their focus shifts away from the performer towards their own agency and collective presence.

A Long Dramatic Pause is a process-based project developed anew with each staging. Every version emerges from a collaboration between the artist and a new performer, guided by a set of graphic scores created specifically for the work.

The first staging of A Long Dramatic Pause took place in London (UK) in September 2025. This second staging at Contemporary Calgary marks the performance’s Canadian premiere.

Free with registration.

About the Artists

Cindy Ansah (she/her) is a storyteller, a vibrant embodiment of culture. A multidimensional creative, she embodies multiplicity as a dance artist, actress, filmmaker, writer, fashion visionary, and muse, dialoguing in Mohkínstsis (Calgary) and across Turtle Island. Since 2020, Cindy has been devoted to her role as Artistic Director of Not Another Political Playground Y’all (N.A.P.P.Y.), which has produced two acclaimed seasons. She co-founded the all-Black contemporary arts collective with collaborator Tiara Matusin, with the shared aspiration to champion Black artistry and collectivity in all its breadth, depth, and nuance.

Erdem Taşdelen (he/him) is an artist based in Tkaronto/Toronto, Canada. Through the use of diverse materials and media, he constructs semi-fictional narratives that incorporate unique historical figures, events and texts to implicate contemporary sociopolitical realities. His projects over the past 15 years have explored themes such as life under authoritarian rule; the theatricality and public spectacles of political discourse; migration, displacement and the haunting presence of the past in contemporary contexts; and the possibilities for self-expression and the limits of authorship within culturally learned forms. Taşdelen has exhibited at venues including The Power Plant, Aga Khan Museum and Mercer Union in Toronto; Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver; VOX Centre de l'image contemporaine, Montréal; Framer Framed, Amsterdam; Museum für Neue Kunst, Freiburg; and Pera Museum, Istanbul. He has been an artist-in-residence at the Delfina Foundation and Studio Voltaire, London; Hangar, Lisbon; Rupert, Vilnius; and KulturKontakt, Vienna. He was awarded the Joseph S. Stauffer Prize in Visual Arts by the Canada Council in 2016, the Charles Pachter Prize by Hnatyshyn Foundation in 2014, long-listed for the Sobey Art Award in 2019, and selected as a finalist for the Taoyuan International Art Award in 2025.

A Long Dramatic Pause

April 19
Grotto | 2-2:30 PM

A Long Dramatic Pause is a live performance that explores strategies of resistance against ultranationalism and far-right politics through the languages of photography and theatre. Performed by Cindy Ansah and co-developed with artist Erdem Taşdelen, the narrative comprises twelve dramatic scenes that describe a photographic image, never showing it directly but rather bringing it to life through re-enactment and visual analysis.

At the heart of the photograph being described is a young woman, a figure of solidarity and defiance with whom the audience can identify. As the performer moves between observing and embodying this antifascist figure, the narrative gradually implicates the audience as if they had been unknowing protagonists in the image all along. With this, their focus shifts away from the performer towards their own agency and collective presence.

A Long Dramatic Pause is a process-based project developed anew with each staging. Every version emerges from a collaboration between the artist and a new performer, guided by a set of graphic scores created specifically for the work.

The first staging of A Long Dramatic Pause took place in London (UK) in September 2025. This second staging at Contemporary Calgary marks the performance’s Canadian premiere.

Free with registration.

About the Artists

Cindy Ansah (she/her) is a storyteller, a vibrant embodiment of culture. A multidimensional creative, she embodies multiplicity as a dance artist, actress, filmmaker, writer, fashion visionary, and muse, dialoguing in Mohkínstsis (Calgary) and across Turtle Island. Since 2020, Cindy has been devoted to her role as Artistic Director of Not Another Political Playground Y’all (N.A.P.P.Y.), which has produced two acclaimed seasons. She co-founded the all-Black contemporary arts collective with collaborator Tiara Matusin, with the shared aspiration to champion Black artistry and collectivity in all its breadth, depth, and nuance.

Erdem Taşdelen (he/him) is an artist based in Tkaronto/Toronto, Canada. Through the use of diverse materials and media, he constructs semi-fictional narratives that incorporate unique historical figures, events and texts to implicate contemporary sociopolitical realities. His projects over the past 15 years have explored themes such as life under authoritarian rule; the theatricality and public spectacles of political discourse; migration, displacement and the haunting presence of the past in contemporary contexts; and the possibilities for self-expression and the limits of authorship within culturally learned forms. Taşdelen has exhibited at venues including The Power Plant, Aga Khan Museum and Mercer Union in Toronto; Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver; VOX Centre de l'image contemporaine, Montréal; Framer Framed, Amsterdam; Museum für Neue Kunst, Freiburg; and Pera Museum, Istanbul. He has been an artist-in-residence at the Delfina Foundation and Studio Voltaire, London; Hangar, Lisbon; Rupert, Vilnius; and KulturKontakt, Vienna. He was awarded the Joseph S. Stauffer Prize in Visual Arts by the Canada Council in 2016, the Charles Pachter Prize by Hnatyshyn Foundation in 2014, long-listed for the Sobey Art Award in 2019, and selected as a finalist for the Taoyuan International Art Award in 2025.

National Canadian Film Day

Castration Movie Anthology i: Traps

April 15
6 PM
Heather Edwards Theatre

"Why would you do this on purpose?" 

Castration Movie is a multi-part postmodern epic by visionary auteur Louise Weard. Anthology i. Traps contains two chapters. In Chapter i. Incel Superman, a production assistant named Turner Stewart (Noah Baker) sees his world spiral out of control as he uncompromisingly attempts to shape his life into the one he feels he deserves. In Chapter ii. Traps Swan Princess, a trans sex worker named Michaela “Traps” Sinclair (Louise Weard) finds her relationships becoming increasingly strained as she decides to pursue motherhood.

Written and directed by Louise Weard, Castration Movie Anthology i. Traps features a cast headlined by Louise Weard (Computer Hearts), Vera Drew (The People's Joker), Alice Maio Mackay (The Serpent’s Skin), Avalon Fast (Camp), John Paizs (Crime Wave), Lea Rose Sebastianis (In a Violent Nature), and Nate Wilson (The All Golden), amongst a mix of other emerging talent and weird and wonderful cameos.

CONTENT ADVISORY

Please be advised that Castration Movie Anthology I: Traps contains extremely graphic depictions of:

•  Body horror and physical mutilation

• Genital violence and medical trauma

• Intense psychological distress

• Coarse language that may be unsuitable to some audiences

• Nudity

• Mature subject matter

This film is intended for adult audiences only. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.

About the Presenters

Calgary Queer Arts Society

formerly known as Fairy Tales Presentation Society, is a nonprofit organization located in Calgary, Alberta that exists to give voice to queer people and their stories. Historically, LGBTQ2A+ individuals have been suppressed, deprived of power, misrepresented and often overlooked by institutional support systems. We are committed to transforming this reality, and will continue to work passionately towards an inclusive future for all people.

The arts are an integral part of who we are. Storytelling connects us all, dissolves our differences and breaks down barriers, so that we can find aspects of ourselves in others, and of others in ourselves. Our stories are important to Calgary, which is why we are committed to creating and sharing the narratives that shape us. We use storytelling mediums and artistic endeavours to inspire thoughtful conversations that educate and strengthen communities and institutions.

CanFilmDay

National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) is a massive, coast-to-coast-to-coast salute to Canadian cinema! Launched in 2014, CanFilmDay has brought together hundreds of thousands of Canadians, to celebrate our stories and the incredible achievements of our filmmakers. Whether you host a screening or attend one, watch from the comfort of your home or join the party on social media, CanFilmDay is your day to feel connected to our cultures and shared values. For more information, visit www.canfilmday.ca.

Reel Canada

REEL CANADA is a charitable organization that promotes the diversity of Canadian film and its power to spark important conversations about what it means to be Canadian. Through our core programmes — Our Films in Our Schools, Welcome to Canada, Reel Opportunities, and National Canadian Film Day (CanFilmDay) — REEL CANADA has reached millions of students, new Canadians, and general audience members. For more information, visit www.reelcanada.ca.

Perspective Film Series:

The Zone of Interest (2023), dir. Jonathan Glazer

April 12

5:30 PM | Dome Theatre

The commandant of Auschwitz and his wife strive to build a dream life for their family in a house next to the camp. Off-screen sounds – gunshots, screams, industrial machinery – constantly intrude onto their lives, creating a disturbing contrast between normality and mass murder. By withholding graphic imagery, the film examines how extreme violence can coexist with ordinary life through denial, compartmentalization, and moral indifference. By coolly observing the everyday lives of those complicit in unimaginable crimes, The Zone of Interest confronts us with the chilling normality that underpins an unforgivable brutality.

Country: UK, Poland, US
105 minutes, in German, Polish, and Yiddish with English subtitles

Disclaimer: This film contains some difficult subject matter, including racism and strong references to violence, including sounds, which may be triggering for some viewers.

FREE for members. Non-members: $10—your ticket to this screening includes admission to Contemporary Calgary. Our galleries are open from 12-5 PM for viewing prior to attending the program.

About Perspective Film Series

Curated by associate curator Muriel N. Kahwagi, the 2026 edition of Perspective is conceived as a sustained meditation on disaster in its broadest and most resonant terms. While ecological catastrophe remains a central point of reference, the series extends beyond literal scenarios of environmental collapse or speculative visions of planetary ruin, approaching disaster as a condition that permeates both collective structures and private lives, unfolding across social, political, and emotional terrains. In this sense, disaster is understood not only as a single event, but as an ongoing state – slow, uneven, and often normalized through systems of power, habit, and belief. The films in this series examine how moments of crisis reshape perception and behaviour, revealing fractures in meaning, and reflecting on the ways in which hope may persist long after the moment of rupture has passed.

About the Curator

Muriel N. Kahwagi ((she/her)) is a writer and curator, working primarily across publishing and programming. Her research is centered on the politics of collecting and archiving the performative; and the act of listening as a form of preservation in and of itself. In 2023, she was the TD Curatorial Fellow at Art Windsor-Essex, and a curator as part of Vtape’s Curatorial Incubator, v.19. She is currently the Assistant Curator at Contemporary Calgary, and a programmer at the Toronto Arab Film Festival.

Supported by

Collect & Connect: An Introduction to Art Collecting + Wine Tasting

April 8
Doors: 6:30 PM
Auction Exhibition Tour: 7 PM

Join us for Collect & Connect: An Introduction to Art Collecting + Wine Tasting, an engaging evening where you’ll discover insider tips on how to start collecting art from an established professional, while learning about a curated selection of wine from a Certified Sommelier.

The night begins with a guided tour of our LOOK26 Art Auction exhibition, offering insight into the artists and stories behind the works on view. From there, guests will gather for an interactive conversation with Megan Paterson, founder of Aurelia, who will demystify the art market and share practical advice on how to start building a collection with confidence, from defining your taste and setting a budget to understanding where to look and long-term value.

Throughout the evening, enjoy a curated wine tasting led by Margaux Burgess, Certified Sommelier and founder of Swirl Wine Imports, with thoughtful selections to inspire conversation.

Whether you’re beginning your collecting journey or hoping to expand your knowledge of the art world and wine, this relaxed, social evening brings together art, community, and wine in perfect balance.

Sip. Learn. Collect.

What to Expect:

• A guided tour of the LOOK26 art auction with our Associate Curator

• Art Collecting 101 from Megan Paterson of Aurelia Fine Art

• Wine Tasting hosted by Margaux Burgess, Certified Sommelier

• Delicious selection of cheese to enjoy along the way

No experience in the arts or art collecting required! Come as you are and leave with an enriched appreciation for art and wine.

Free for Culture Club Members. $50 for non-Club Members.

Learn more about Culture Club, a community for art enthusiasts in their 20s–40s, by contacting Alison at alison.andersen@contemporarycalgary.com.

About the Founder of Aurelia

Megan Paterson

In addition to art advising certification from the Sotheby's Institute of Art in London, Megan Paterson, founder of Aurelia, spent 14 years immersed in the commercial gallery world, building deep knowledge and an extensive network in the industry. Along the way, she noticed many people eager to buy art but held back by intimidation or not knowing where to start. Determined to change that, Megan became passionate about breaking down barriers and making the art world accessible to all. Today, her mission is to empower clients with the confidence and support they need to engage in the art market.

About the Sommelier

Margaux Burgess

Margaux Burgess is a Certified Sommelier and Diploma holder from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (DipWSET), and the founder of Swirl Wine Imports and Flaurell Wines. Based in Edmonton, she brings more than twenty years of experience in hospitality, wine education, and trade marketing to her work in the Canadian wine industry.

After leading a wine-focused marketing firm, Margaux launched Flaurell Wines—her own independent label—followed by the creation of Swirl Wine Imports in 2023, an Alberta-based agency dedicated to representing thoughtfully made, terroir-driven European producers.

Margaux is passionate about connecting people to wine through education, curated tastings, travel, and events. Her work centres on making wine both accessible and meaningful, helping consumers and trade professionals alike discover, understand, and genuinely enjoy what’s in their glass.

Artifact Small Format Film Festival

Night 2: Levers directed by Rhayne Vermette

April 3
Doors 6:30 PM | Show begins 7 PM
Heather Edwards Theatre

Night 2 of the Artifact Small Format Film Festival will happen at Contemporary Calgary. There will be a collection of short Super 8 films shown, which were made by participants from the National accessArts Centre.

Then the feature Levers will be screened. Written and directed by Métis director Rhayne Vermette, the film was shot on 16mm and shows what happens after an explosion causes a complete blackout. Residents of a Manitoba community struggle to maintain their composure and connections as darkness tests their resilience.

About the filmmaker

Rhayne Vermette

Primarily self-taught, Rhayne Vermette’s work emphasizes an interference of image through collage, photography and analog filmmaking. Themes of place, time and rhythm are expressed through opulent layers of fiction, animation, reenactments and divine interruption. Deeply rooted in Manitoba, Rhayne frequently enlists the talent of her loved ones and community in the making of her films. Ste. Anne (2021), Rhayne’s first feature narrative, featuring some of her own family members from Ste. Anne, Manitoba, received critical acclaim and accrued a number of accolades, including TIFF’s Amplify Voices Award for Best Canadian Feature Film. In 2024, Rhayne was shortlisted for the Sobey Art Award, Canada’s preeminent prize for contemporary visual artists. Rhéanne (Rhayne) Vermette was born to parents Jacqueline Deroche and Roger Vermette in Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba. Roger Vermette was born in St. Boniface and raised in Ste. Anne, Manitoba, a community historically settled by Métis and French Canadians. His father, Joseph Vermette, was born in St. Norbert, Manitoba and died in Richer, Manitoba. His father, before him, Jean Vermette, was also born in St. Norbert, a significant Red River Métis community, and passed in Richer, Manitoba.

Exhibition Opening

LOOK26 Art Auction

April 2
5-9 PM

We invite you to join us on Thursday, April 2, from 5–9 PM to celebrate the opening of the LOOK26 Art Auction exhibition, supported by HEATHER EDWARDS—an exceptional showcase featuring works by many of Canada’s significant artistic talents for our annual live and silent auction.

This year’s LOOK Gala, titled Off The Path, is brought to life by the talented minds of local artist duo DaveandJenn, drawing on their richly layered practice that spans painting, sculpture and moving image. Their work creates whimsical worlds filled with delight, enchantment and untamed life, embracing all things fantastical. Stepping into the gallery, you will find yourselves transported to an otherworldly forest where theatrical environments, dynamic lightscapes and layered projections reveal secret clearings and shadowy lairs.

Taking its cue from this year’s theme, the auction gathers works that explore our rich natural environments and the creatures, human or more than human, that form its ecosystem, whether in overt or subtle, abstract ways. The LOOK exhibition will be on display at the gallery from April 3—May 2, 2026, offering the public a unique opportunity to view the works in person and place advance bids ahead of the LOOK26 Gala: Off The Path presented by MAWER, on May 2.

• Doors Open
  5:00 PM

• Remarks
  6:30 PM | Atrium

• Galleries Close
  9:00 PM

FREE and open to the public. No registration required.

This exhibition opening is presented in collaboration with Free First Thursday.

The LOOK26 Art Auction is generously supported by HEATHER EDWARDS, with special thanks to Mona Filip, Chief Curator, Kanika Anand, Senior Curator, and Muriel N. Kahwagi, Associate Curator at Contemporary Calgary, who are serving as Auction Curators. We are deeply grateful to the artists, gallerists, sponsors, donors, collectors, and committee members whose continued support strengthens Calgary’s vibrant arts community. Proceeds from the auction directly support Contemporary Calgary’s exhibitions and public programming.

Bidding opens April 2 at noon and closes at 12:00 AM on May 3, 2026. Live auction items will be available exclusively at the LOOK26 Gala: Off The Path on May 2.

Keep an eye on your inbox—once the auction goes live, we’ll send full instructions on how to register and place your bids. A full list of participating artists will be available when the auction goes live on April 2. Stay tuned! 

Honorary Chairs

Bruce Kuwabara, OC
Linda and Mike Shaikh, CM
Peter Tertzakian

LOOK26 Gala Curators

DaveandJenn

Art Auction Curators

Mona Filip
Kanika Anand 
Muriel N. Kahwagi

Auctioneer

Stephen Ranger

Auction Contributors

Morris and Ann Dancyger 
Dr. John Lacey, CM
Jenna and Chad Larson  
The Kenneth Lochhead Estate  
Tiller Wolf Art Consulting  
Bruce and Cathy Williams 
Private collections

Free First Thursday

April 2
5-9 PM

Join us for Free First Thursday on April 2 at Contemporary Calgary! Enjoy complimentary admission from 5–9 PM and be among the first to experience the LOOK26 Art Auction exhibition, supported by HEATHER EDWARDS. This exceptional showcase features works generously donated by some of the nation’s most celebrated artists, many of whom will be in attendance. On view from April 3, the exhibition offers an exciting opportunity to preview and place advance bids ahead of the LOOK26 Gala: Off The Path, presented by MAWER, on May 2.

Watch. Create. Perform. Join us in the Heather Edwards Theatre for an evening of shadow-inspired cinema, fueled by the themes of Off the Path and the artistry of DaveandJenn. Throughout the night, we will host a rotating series of film screenings that explore the delicate magic created when movement meets silhouette.

Once inspired, head to our hands-on art-making station to design and build a shadow puppet of your own. We’ll have overhead projectors set up for you to experiment with light and perform your own miniature shadow plays in real-time. Whether you stay for a few minutes or the entire evening, come explore, create, and bring your own shadow stories to life.

Throughout the night, enjoy a curated set by DJ Dan Solo, along with a thoughtful selection of wine, craft beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Art for All – FREE with registration.

On view:

• LOOK26 Art Auction

• Erdem Taşdelen: Wounded in Three Acts

• Richard Ibghy & Marilou Lemmens: Stacking Crates to Reach a Banana

• Nelly-Eve Rajotte: Trees communicate with each other at 220 hertz

Performance: A Long Dramatic Pause

followed by an artist talk with Cindy Ansah and Erdem Taşdelen 

March 28
Grotto | 2-4 PM

Please join us for A Long Dramatic Pause, a live performance that explores strategies of resistance against ultranationalism and far-right politics through the languages of photography and theatre. Performed by Cindy Ansah and co-developed with artist Erdem Taşdelen, the narrative comprises twelve theatrical scenes that describe a photographic image, never showing it directly but rather bringing it to life through re-enactment and visual analysis.

Following the performance, Erdem Taşdelen and Cindy Ansah will discuss their collaborative process and the making of the piece. The conversation will be moderated by Chief Curator Mona Filip.

Registration required; capacity for the performance of A Long Dramatic Pause is limited. Additional performances are scheduled during the run of the exhibition.

This program is supported by RBC Foundation as part of the Contemporary Conversations Series.

About the Artists

Cindy Ansah (she/her) is a storyteller, a vibrant embodiment of culture. A multidimensional creative, she embodies multiplicity as a dance artist, actress, filmmaker, writer, fashion visionary, and muse, dialoguing in Mohkínstsis (Calgary) and across Turtle Island. Since 2020, Cindy has been devoted to her role as Artistic Director of Not Another Political Playground Y’all (N.A.P.P.Y.), which has produced two acclaimed seasons. She co-founded the all-Black contemporary arts collective with collaborator Tiara Matusin, with the shared aspiration to champion Black artistry and collectivity in all its breadth, depth, and nuance.

Erdem Taşdelen (he/him) is an artist based in Tkaronto/Toronto, Canada. Through the use of diverse materials and media, he constructs semi-fictional narratives that incorporate unique historical figures, events and texts to implicate contemporary sociopolitical realities. His projects over the past 15 years have explored themes such as life under authoritarian rule; the theatricality and public spectacles of political discourse; migration, displacement and the haunting presence of the past in contemporary contexts; and the possibilities for self-expression and the limits of authorship within culturally learned forms. Taşdelen has exhibited at venues including The Power Plant, Aga Khan Museum and Mercer Union in Toronto; Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver; VOX Centre de l'image contemporaine, Montréal; Framer Framed, Amsterdam; Museum für Neue Kunst, Freiburg; and Pera Museum, Istanbul. He has been an artist-in-residence at the Delfina Foundation and Studio Voltaire, London; Hangar, Lisbon; Rupert, Vilnius; and KulturKontakt, Vienna. He was awarded the Joseph S. Stauffer Prize in Visual Arts by the Canada Council in 2016, the Charles Pachter Prize by Hnatyshyn Foundation in 2014, long-listed for the Sobey Art Award in 2019, and selected as a finalist for the Taoyuan International Art Award in 2025.

About the Moderator

Mona Filip (she/her) is Contemporary Calgary’s Chief Curator. Her curatorial career spans two decades of developing critical visual art programs, supporting the production of new works, and introducing national and international artists to new audiences through first local exhibitions. Filip’s projects have explored the intersections of collective memory, place, and belonging, examining artistic strategies that redress sidelined histories, restitution and repair, and storytelling as world-building. Originally from Bucharest, Romania, Filip holds a BFA from the Corcoran School of Art, Washington DC, and an MFA from SUNY at Buffalo.

Exhibition Tour with Richard Ibghy and Marilou Lemmens

March 28
Flanagan Family Gallery | 12 PM

Join Quebec-based artists Richard Ibghy and Marilou Lemmens for a guided tour of Stacking Crates to Reach a Banana. The artists will lead visitors through the exhibition’s four interconnected bodies of work, reflecting on their practice and its exploration of the performing body across conditions of productive and non-productive labour.

Admission is free with registration; however, space is limited, so we encourage you to reserve your spot early.

This program is supported by RBC Foundation as part of the Contemporary Conversations Series.

About the Artists

Richard Ibghy & Marilou Lemmens

The Canadian artist duo, Richard Ibghy and Marilou Lemmens, have been working together for over fifteen years. Their practice combines rigorous research with project-specific material exploration to examine issues at the intersection of ecology, economics, epistemology, and history. Their works take various forms, including installations, sculptures, videos, actions, artist's books, and public artworks. 

They use documentary research, archives, and the act of going to see for themselves what is happening to create works that present themselves as historically and culturally situated studies of vocabularies, practices, and forms of thought. Their work then proceeds to conceptual shifts, inventing formal and performative devices that bring these abstract systems to concretion by confronting them with materials and the body. 

Exploring epistemological questions related to quantification, classification, and representation procedures has led them to pay particular attention to the history and power of science and knowledge, including the language of economics, the aesthetics of data visualization, and the design of laboratory experiments. Their recent projects question the relationships humans have with nature and expand the concepts of hospitality, care, and communication between species.

Their work has been featured in solo exhibitions, group exhibitions, and international events, including at Movíl (Argentina); Jane Lombard Gallery (USA); the Ludwig Museum (Hungary); Fiskars Biennale (Finland); OFF-Biennale Budapest (Hungary); Columbus Museum of Art (USA); Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (Canada); Visningsrommet (Norway); Bienal de Cuenca (Ecuador); Istanbul Biennial (Turkey); Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery (Canada); La Biennale de Montréal (Canada); Kunsthalle Mulhouse (France); Henie Onstad Kunstsenter (Norway), and Sharjah Biennial (United Arab Emirates).

They live in Durham-Sud (QC, Canada).

Exhibition Opening
Erdem Taşdelen + Richard Ibghy & Marilou Lemmens

March 26
6-9 PM

Please join Contemporary Calgary on Thursday, March 26, from 6-9 PM, for the opening of two solo exhibitions, Richard Ibghy & Marilou Lemmens: Stacking Crates to Reach a Banana and Erdem Taşdelen: Wounded in Three Acts.

Richard Ibghy & Marilou Lemmens draw on the visual language of modern science to trace the ethical stakes of systems that quantify lived experience into units of labour. Their work reveals the limits of these regimes of control, while opening a space to consider bodies as irreducible to the metrics used to measure and manage them.

Erdem Taşdelen engages with theatrical and filmic storytelling to explore what it means to be human and examine the complexities of our imperfect nature. Seamlessly shifting between audio installation, film, graphic prints, and live performance, he creates captivating fictions that feel strikingly close to reality, drawing attention to the political and social forces shaping our lives today.

Together, these works interrogate the culturally learned behaviours and systemic patterns that influence our actions, shifting the focus toward our own agency and collective presence.

• Doors
  6:00 PM

• Remarks
  6:30 PM | Flanagan Family Gallery Hallway

• Performance premiere of Erdem Taşdelen and Cindy Ansah’s A Long Dramatic Pause 
  7 PM | Grotto

• Galleries Close
  9:00 PM

All artists will be in attendance.
FREE to the public. No registration is required. 

Capacity for the performance premiere of A Long Dramatic Pause is limited and seating is first-come, first-served. Additional performances are scheduled during the run of the exhibition.

A Long Dramatic Pause

March 26 | 7 PM
Grotto

Please join us for the Canadian premiere of A Long Dramatic Pause, a live performance that explores strategies of resistance against ultranationalism and far-right politics through the languages of photography and theatre. Performed by Cindy Ansah and co-developed with artist Erdem Taşdelen, the narrative comprises twelve theatrical scenes that describe a photographic image, never showing it directly but rather bringing it to life through re-enactment and visual analysis.

At the heart of the photograph being described is a young woman, a figure of solidarity and defiance with whom the audience can identify. As the performer moves between observing and embodying this antifascist figure, the narrative gradually implicates the audience as if they had been unknowing protagonists in the image all along, shifting their focus towards their own agency and collective presence.

A Long Dramatic Pause is a process-based project developed anew with each staging. Every version emerges from a collaboration between the artist and a new performer, guided by a set of graphic scores created specifically for the work.

The first staging of A Long Dramatic Pause took place in London (UK) in September 2025. This second staging at Contemporary Calgary marks the performance’s Canadian premiere.

FREE to the public. No registration is required. 
Capacity for the performance premiere of A Long Dramatic Pause is limited and seating is first-come, first-served. Additional performances are scheduled during the run of the exhibition.

About the Artists

Richard Ibghy & Marilou Lemmens

The Canadian artist duo, Richard Ibghy and Marilou Lemmens, have been working together for over fifteen years. Their practice combines rigorous research with project-specific material exploration to examine issues at the intersection of ecology, economics, epistemology, and history. Their works take various forms, including installations, sculptures, videos, actions, artist's books, and public artworks. 

They use documentary research, archives, and the act of going to see for themselves what is happening to create works that present themselves as historically and culturally situated studies of vocabularies, practices, and forms of thought. Their work then proceeds to conceptual shifts, inventing formal and performative devices that bring these abstract systems to concretion by confronting them with materials and the body. 

Exploring epistemological questions related to quantification, classification, and representation procedures has led them to pay particular attention to the history and power of science and knowledge, including the language of economics, the aesthetics of data visualization, and the design of laboratory experiments. Their recent projects question the relationships humans have with nature and expand the concepts of hospitality, care, and communication between species.

Their work has been featured in solo exhibitions, group exhibitions, and international events, including at Movíl (Argentina); Jane Lombard Gallery (USA); the Ludwig Museum (Hungary); Fiskars Biennale (Finland); OFF-Biennale Budapest (Hungary); Columbus Museum of Art (USA); Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (Canada); Visningsrommet (Norway); Bienal de Cuenca (Ecuador); Istanbul Biennial (Turkey); Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery (Canada); La Biennale de Montréal (Canada); Kunsthalle Mulhouse (France); Henie Onstad Kunstsenter (Norway), and Sharjah Biennial (United Arab Emirates).

They live in Durham-Sud (QC, Canada).

Erdem Taşdelen

Erdem Taşdelen (he/him) is an artist based in Tkaronto/Toronto, Canada. Through the use of diverse materials and media, he constructs semi-fictional narratives that incorporate unique historical figures, events and texts to implicate contemporary sociopolitical realities. His projects over the past 15 years have explored themes such as life under authoritarian rule; the theatricality and public spectacles of political discourse; migration, displacement and the haunting presence of the past in contemporary contexts; and the possibilities for self-expression and the limits of authorship within culturally learned forms. Taşdelen has exhibited at venues including The Power Plant, Aga Khan Museum and Mercer Union in Toronto; Contemporary Art Gallery, Vancouver; VOX Centre de l'image contemporaine, Montréal; Framer Framed, Amsterdam; Museum für Neue Kunst, Freiburg; and Pera Museum, Istanbul. He has been an artist-in-residence at the Delfina Foundation and Studio Voltaire, London; Hangar, Lisbon; Rupert, Vilnius; and KulturKontakt, Vienna. He was awarded the Joseph S. Stauffer Prize in Visual Arts by the Canada Council in 2016, the Charles Pachter Prize by Hnatyshyn Foundation in 2014, long-listed for the Sobey Art Award in 2019, and selected as a finalist for the Taoyuan International Art Award in 2025.

Cindy Ansah

Cindy Ansah (she/her) is a storyteller, a vibrant embodiment of culture. A multidimensional creative, she embodies multiplicity as a dance artist, actress, filmmaker, writer, fashion visionary, and muse, dialoguing in Mohkínstsis (Calgary) and across Turtle Island. Since 2020, Cindy has been devoted to her role as Artistic Director of Not Another Political Playground Y’all (N.A.P.P.Y.), which has produced two acclaimed seasons. She co-founded the all-Black contemporary arts collective with collaborator Tiara Matusin, with the shared aspiration to champion Black artistry and collectivity in all its breadth, depth, and nuance.

Perspective Film Series:

Stalker (1979), dir. Andrei Tarkovsky

March 22

5:30 PM | Dome Theatre

In an unnamed country at an unspecified time is a fiercely protected post-apocalyptic wasteland known as The Zone. An illegal guide, whose mutant child suggests great horrors within The Zone, leads a writer and a scientist into the heart of the devastation in search of a mythical place known as The Room. Anyone who enters The Room will supposedly have any of their earthly desires fulfilled.

Adapting the science-fiction novel by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky for what would become his final film made in the Soviet Union, Andrei Tarkovsky crafted a demanding yet visually mesmerizing work. At once a spiritual parable and a response to modern political unease, Stalker is ultimately a meditation on the nature of cinema itself.

Country: Soviet Union
161 minutes, in Russian with English subtitles.

Disclaimer: This film contains some difficult subject matter and imagery, including nudity and references to weaponry, which may be triggering for some viewers.

FREE for members. Non-members: $10—your ticket to this screening includes admission to Contemporary Calgary. Our galleries are open from 12-5 PM for viewing prior to attending the program.

About Perspective Film Series

Curated by associate curator Muriel N. Kahwagi, the 2026 edition of Perspective is conceived as a sustained meditation on disaster in its broadest and most resonant terms. While ecological catastrophe remains a central point of reference, the series extends beyond literal scenarios of environmental collapse or speculative visions of planetary ruin, approaching disaster as a condition that permeates both collective structures and private lives, unfolding across social, political, and emotional terrains. In this sense, disaster is understood not only as a single event, but as an ongoing state – slow, uneven, and often normalized through systems of power, habit, and belief. The films in this series examine how moments of crisis reshape perception and behaviour, revealing fractures in meaning, and reflecting on the ways in which hope may persist long after the moment of rupture has passed.

About the Curator

Muriel N. Kahwagi ((she/her)) is a writer and curator, working primarily across publishing and programming. Her research is centered on the politics of collecting and archiving the performative; and the act of listening as a form of preservation in and of itself. In 2023, she was the TD Curatorial Fellow at Art Windsor-Essex, and a curator as part of Vtape’s Curatorial Incubator, v.19. She is currently the Assistant Curator at Contemporary Calgary, and a programmer at the Toronto Arab Film Festival.

Supported by

Contemporary Kids: Duet for Children and Parents

March 22

1-2:30 PM
Heather Edwards Theatre

Join us for a special CCKids workshop with W&M Physical Theatre. In this 90-minute experience, families will share movement, laughter, and a little creative adventure together while learning a contemporary dance duet created especially for a parent and child — playful in spirit, yet filled with quiet moments of trust and connection.

Facilitated by Melissa Monteros and Wojciech Mochniej, with guest artist Nicole Charlton Goodbrand and her young student, the workshop gently guides participants through partnering, shared balance, and simple lifts. The duet is set to the luminous “Peace Piece” by Bill Evans.

No dance experience is necessary.

Please note: One parent or guardian per child is required for this workshop. Parents should feel comfortable lifting their child at moments during the dance; however, adaptations will be offered so everyone can participate.

Our Free onsite Contemporary Kids programs invite children to learn about modern and contemporary art through unique and engaging art activities. 

For children ages 5-12. Maximum group of 20 children, with one guardian per child.

Questions? Please visit our FAQ page.

Contemporary Calgary Educational Programs are often photographed. This photography includes the participants, parents or guardians and their creations. If you wish not to be photographed, please let Contemporary Calgary education staff know upon arrival, and they will assist you.

About W&M Physical Theatre Residency:

During a two-week residency at Contemporary Calgary, W&M Physical Theatre invites the public into the creative life of the company.  Rehearsals, special guest artists, artist talks, dance-film screenings, and community workshops lead up to the premiere of a new work for  WM2 on March 27 and March 29.

Led by Melissa Monteros and Wojciech Mochniej with Associate Nicole Charlton Goodbrand, and with some special events by M-Body’s Davida Monk, the residency offers audiences a chance to see how contemporary dance is made—from the first explorations in the studio to the moment the work meets an audience.

About the Artists: 

Melissa Monteros

Melissa Monteros is a performer, choreographer, dance filmmaker, and Professor Emerita (University of Calgary) whose international career spans performance, creation, and the shaping of complex contemporary works.

Monteros holds a Master of Arts in Dance from UCLA and a BFA in Dance from the University of Utah. Her formative training includes study with Kai Ganado, Bill T. Jones, Kei Takei, Ronald Brown, Angelina Leung, and extensive work in New York with Risa Steinberg, Leni Williams, Armgard von Bardeleben, Milton Myers, Lynn Simonson, and Christine Wright. This lineage informs a practice grounded in physical clarity, compositional intelligence, and embodied inquiry.

Her choreographic and performance work has been presented internationally, with invitations across Europe, Canada, and the United States, including Austria, Finland, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Sweden, and Lithuania. She has created work for independent artists and companies such as Risa Steinberg, JoJo Oulu Dance, Silesian Dance Theatre, Springboard Dance Collective, and theatre director Michael Hackett, and has performed in works by Avi Kaiser, Davida Monk,Darcy McGehee, and Alpo Aaltokoski, among others.

Monteros is co-founder of W&M Physical Theatre with Wojciech Mochniej. Their long-term collaboration has generated a substantial body of stage, screen, and international festival work, including Dance Explosions Poland, the International Festival of Improvisation in Poland, and the Wilddogs International Screendance Festival.

A Fulbright Scholar, Monteros has received honorary awards in Gdańsk and Lublin for her contributions to contemporary dance. As Artistic Director to W&M, her work reflects her long-standing commitment to shaping performance from the inside—where structure, risk, and meaning are forged through practice.

Wojciech Mochniej

Wojciech Mochniej is a Polish-Canadian choreographer, performer, dance filmmaker, and teacher, and the Artistic Director of W&M Physical Theatre. As Artistic Director, he brings decades of international creative leadership, a rigorous physical practice, and a deep commitment to risk-driven contemporary performance.

Mochniej began his professional career as an original member of Silesian Dance Theatre (1991–1994), widely recognized as Poland"s first contemporary dance company. During this formative period, he met Melissa Monteros, launching a creative partnership that led to the founding of Gdanski Teatr Tania (Dance Theatre of Gdansk) in 1995 and a sustained body of work presented across Europe and Canada. Their collaboration has generated stage works, screendance projects, and major international initiatives, including the Wilddogs International Screendance Festival, Dance Explosions Poland, and the International Festival of Improvisation in Poland.

As a performer, Mochniej has worked with influential choreographers such as Anna Sokolow, Talley Beatty, Mark Haim, Stephanie Skura, Alpo Aaltokoski, Avi Kaiser, Davida Monk, and Darcy McGehee. His improvisational practice has been shaped by study and performance with Ray Chung, David Dorfman, Chris Aiken, and Martin Keough, alongside theatre training with leading Polish artists Jan Peszek, Grzegorz Bral, and Jacek Ozimek—an influence evident in his physically charged, dramaturgically grounded choreographic voice.

Mochniej's solo and ensemble works have been presented at major festivals and venues throughout Poland, Finland, Germany, France, Italy, and Canada. His solo Just Po Prostu was named “Best Performance by a Male Dancer” by Dance in Europe, and his choreography Weselle became the most toured contemporary dance work in Poland.

An active screendance creator, editor, and mentor, Mochniej is Associate Professor of Dance at the University of Calgary. His work reflects a long-standing commitment to challenging artists to move beyond habit, sharpen presence, and engage performance as both inquiry and encounter.

Supported by

Supported by

Contemporary Connections: French Tour 

Hosted by Alliance Française de Calgary

March 14
Ring Gallery | 1 PM

Discover Contemporary Calgary’s exhibitions like never before with Contemporary Connections, a guided tour of Entwined offered in French. Hosted by Alliance Française de Calgary, this tour provides unique insights into our thought-provoking exhibitions, fostering conversation and meaningful connections in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

This tour will be conducted in French, so a good understanding of French is recommended.

Tour participants are invited to enjoy a croissant tasting from Yann Haute Pâtisserie, partner of the Alliance Française de Calgary, during a post-tour conversation

• FREE with registration. Advance registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome if space allows.

• Duration: 30 minutes to one hour tour, followed by a post-tour conversation

We invite you to share which languages you’d like to see in future tours as we continue to bring people together through the shared experience of contemporary art. Email us at info@contemporarycalgary.com with your suggestions!

Contemporary Connections: French Tour 

Le 14 Mars à 13h00

Découvrez les expositions de Contemporary Calgary sous un angle inédit avec Contemporary Connections. Profitez d'une visite guidée français de Entwined. Organisée par l'Alliance Française de Calgary, cette visite offre de nouvelles perspectives sur nos expositions captivantes. Elle favorise les échanges et les discussions dans un environnement accueillant et inclusif.

Cette visite se déroulera en français; une bonne compréhension du français est recommandée.
Après la visite, les participants sont invités à déguster des croissants de Yann Haute Pâtisserie, partenaire de l'Alliance Française de Calgary, lors d'une conversation.

• Entrée gratuite sur inscription. L'inscription préalable est recommandée, mais les participants sans réservation sont également les bienvenus, sous réserve de places disponibles.

• Temps de visite : 30 minutes à une heure, suivi d'un moment d'échange après la visite.

Nous vous invitons à nous faire part des langues que vous aimeriez voir proposées lors de futures visites, afin de continuer à unir les gens autour de l'art contemporain et de ses moments d'échange. Envoyez-nous vos suggestions par email à info@contemporarycalgary.com!

À propos de l'Alliance Française:

L'Alliance Française de Calgary propose des cours de français pour tous les âges, valorise la culture française ainsi que la diversité des cultures francophones, et crée une communauté inclusive.

Climate, Community, and Care: Zine-Making Workshop and Talk

In collaboration with the Calgary Climate Hub, Black Eco Bloom, and Gabby Barber

March 11
Heather Edwards Theatre & Atrium| 6:30-8 PM

Join us for a free zine-making workshop and talk, organized in collaboration with the Calgary Climate Hub, Black Eco Bloom, and Gabby Barber. In this program, we invite you to creatively explore your perspective on climate justice, respond to the themes in our current exhibition, Entwined, and get inspired by tangible climate actions you can take in your community. Get creative, share stories, and spark conversation!

Whether you're new to zines or a seasoned maker, come meet others who also care about the planet, express yourself, and take part in a dialogue that matters.

The evening will start with short presentations about the work of Black Eco Bloom, the Calgary Climate Hub, and the Climate Justice Collective in the Heather Edwards Theatre, followed by a zine-making workshop in the atrium.

This program is held in conjunction with Entwined, curated by Mona Filip and on view until March 15, 2026.

About the panellists and facilitators

Jared Blustein
(he/him)

Jared Blustein (he/him) is the Director of the Calgary Climate Hub. Blustein was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, and from a young age fell in love with the foothills, prairies and mountains. He became involved in activism and the nonprofit sector after witnessing the interconnected impacts of Indigenous land dispossession, socio-economic injustice, and human-driven climate change. After completing a graduate degree in 2017, he co-founded The Allium Restaurant and Bodega Worker Cooperative, which closed in the summer of 2023. Blustein is excited to now be the Director of the Calgary Climate Hub.

Gabby Barber
(she/her)

Gabby Barber (she/her) is an incoming MA Anthropology student at the University of Calgary who is passionate about all things creative. She loves incorporating zine-making in her academic research, as well as adding a bit of educational flare to her zines. In her free time, you're likely to find her knitting, reading, or hunting for magazines to turn into collages.

Emelia Connolly
(she/her)

Emelia Connolly (she/her) is the Director of Black Eco Bloom. Connolly is passionate about social change. She has a BA in Political Science and MA in Security Studies at the University of Calgary, where she researches social mobilization and armed resistance. Connolly works closely with Black Eco Bloom’s research team to study the sustainability and spirituality of African Indigenous groups and the nuances of land rights for those in the old and new diaspora. As a Caribbean woman, she understands that sustainability equals survival, making the African Indigenous project one of her passions.

Sophie Burns
(she/her)

Sophie Burns (she/her) is the Community Connector at the Calgary Climate Hub. She has over 15 years of experience as a facilitator of collective care. She has worked with leaders, activists, organizations and not-for-profits both in the UK and Canada. She works at the intersections of asset-based community development, relational climate action, social justice and transformative change. She has influenced and advocated for community building and systems change at place-based levels. She is delighted to bring her love for people and land together in her role at the Calgary Climate Hub and Building Connected Communities Project.

Free First Thursday

March 5
5-9 PM

Join us on March 5 from 5–9 PM for Free First Thursday, featuring complimentary admission and extended hours to explore our galleries. This evening marks the closing of the 2026 Exposure Photography Festival with a vibrant lineup of interactive experiences.

Get creative at our Animal Collage Art Activation, inspired by the exhibition Entwined, or step into a professional Portrait Booth with Heather Saitz, who will use the gallery’s iconic brutalist architecture as a backdrop for thoughtful, site-specific portraits. You can also participate in the Alcove Photo Club Print Exchange, a community-driven one-for-one swap where you contribute one 5×7 photographic print and take home a print made by someone else. Prints can be dropped off during the event, printed onsite, or sent to APC in advance for pre-printing. It’s a one-for-one exchange rooted in generosity, community, and shared inspiration.

Stop by and visit our community partner booths, Calgary Climate Hub and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). Climate Hub is a volunteer-led, registered charity that unites a diverse group of Calgarians committed to working together to support meaningful local action in response to climate change. It represents a variety of communities, industries, cultures, and causes, working together to develop communities of mutual aid and equity, with the hope of cultivating care for our earth and each other.

The Southern Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s mission is to conserve the vital ecological functions of Southern Alberta’s public lands and waters, including our parks and protected areas, in collaboration with Albertans, and in a way that advances reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

Throughout the night, enjoy a curated DJ set by Slappy Sammy and a thoughtful selection of wine, craft beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Art for All – FREE with registration.

On view:

• Entwined

• Nelly-Eve Rajotte: Trees communicate with each other at 220 hertz

• Exposure 2026 Photography Festival

• Lana Collins: All My Sisters

• The North West Showcase

• The International Open Call

• NEXTDOOR

• Here, Together 

Borderlands

A conversation with Glenna Cardinal and seth cardinal dodginghorse, moderated by Christina Reynolds.

March 4
5:30-6:30 PM
Heather Edwards Theatre

Glenna Cardinal and seth cardinal dodginghorse are a parent-child collective of mixed-media artists. They grew up on their grandmothers’ ancestral lands on Tsuut’ina Nation. This is the same area that is now the eight-lane transportation corridor called the South West Calgary Ring Road. Join the 2022 Sobey Art Award long-listed artists for an evening of discussion about encountering “borders” in their art practice and in their lives. 

The discussion will be moderated by independent Calgary journalist Christina Reynolds. It is held in conjunction with the 2026 Exposure Photography Festival exhibitions NEXTDOOR and Here, Together.

Free and open to the public; no registration required. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Gbèdu

February 28
7 PM
Heather Edwards Theatre

Gbèdu is an Afro-Jazz orchestral project led by composer, arranger, and musical director King Udofia. Performed by a collective of Calgary-based musicians, the music brings together African rhythmic traditions, jazz harmony, and orchestral textures into a unified sound. Presented as part of Black History Month, the evening is curated as an intimate listening experience that invites audiences into a rich cultural history through contemporary expression.

Free with registration.

About the Artist

King & The Nobles

King Udofia is a composer, arranger, and musical director whose work spans live performance, film and media music. Trained in Jazz composition and orchestration, he brings a deep understanding of musical structure alongside a rare adaptability across genres and creative settings. King has collaborated with artists and institutions including Disney, Titilope Sonuga, Calgary Stampede, Johnny Summers, Perpie, and Femi Leye.

Gbèdu is a n Afro-Jazz orchestral music project led by King Udofia. The project brings together African rhythmic traditions, jazz harmony and Orchestral textures. Performed by a collective of Calgary-based musicians, the project emphasizes ensemble interplay with orchestral strings, jazz horns and a heavy rhythm section. Presented as part of Black History Month, the project is designed as an intimate listening experience that invites the audience into a rich cultural history through contemporary music expression.

Seeds for Grassy Mountain: A Native Plant Workshop

With Alana Bartol and Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed

February 28
2-4 PM | Workshop

Free for members/ Non-members: $10.
Admission to the gallery is included with the participation fee.

Join artists Alana Bartol and Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed for a hands-on workshop exploring art, ecology, and restoration. Unfolding in two parts, this workshop invites participants to learn about the artists’ collaborative project Seeds for Grassy Mountain, which responds to the histories and futures of coal mining in Alberta’s Crowsnest Pass.

Through drawing and discussion, participants will reflect on species and habitats at risk, experiment with milk and charcoal drawings, and learn about native plants and seed preparation techniques. Each participant will take home native seeds to grow and care for.

This workshop is organized in conjunction with Entwined, curated by Mona Filip, and on view until March 15, 2026.

About the artists

Alana Bartol
(she/they)

Alana Bartol (she/they) is a Canadian artist of Northern European settler descent. Their work reflects on how extractivist mindsets, rooted in their own culture’s tendency to see land and water as resources, continue to shape relations with the natural world. Through site-responsive projects, Alana interrogates extractive logics while creating possibilities for remediation and reciprocity. Rooted in more-than-human relations, their work has been presented nationally and internationally, including at Walter Phillips Gallery, Art Gallery of Alberta, Images Festival, and Berlin Feminist Film Festival. Longlisted for the Sobey Art Award in 2019 and 2021, Alana is an Assistant Professor at Alberta University of the Arts.

Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed
(she/her)

Latifa Pelletier-Ahmed is a herbalist, botanist, artist and educator based in Carstairs, Alberta, Treaty 7 Territory. She is the co-owner of ALCLA Native Plants, a nursery that supplies locally-sourced and genetically-diverse plants and seeds for nearly 200 grasses, wildflowers and shrubs. Her practice centres around engaging community with our more-than-human relatives as an antidote for extractive capitalist expansion, climate change, and malaise resulting from disconnection with the living world. She is formally qualified with a Master’s of Science in Herbal Medicine from London, UK and a Bachelor of Science in Botany from the University of Calgary.

Perspective Film Series:

Clemency (2019), dir. Chinonye Chukwu

Co-presented with Woezo Africa Music & Dance Theatre Inc.

February 22
5:30 PM | Dome Theatre

Please join us for a screening of Clemency (2019), in honour and celebration of Black History Month. This screening is guest curated by Wunmi Idowu, in partnership with Woezo Africa Music & Dance Theatre Inc.

Chinonye Chukwu’s Clemency (2019) follows Bernadine Williams, a prison warden who, over the years, has been drifting away from her husband while dutifully carrying out executions in a maximum security prison. When she strikes up a unique bond with death-row inmate Anthony Woods, a layer of emotional skin is peeled back, forcing Bernadine to confront the complex-and often contradictory- relationship between good intentions, unrequited desires, and what it means to be sanctioned to kill.

Country: US
113 minutes, in English.

Disclaimer: This film contains some difficult subject matter and imagery, which may be triggering for some viewers.

FREE for members. Non-members: $10—your ticket to this screening includes admission to Contemporary Calgary. Our galleries are open from 12-5 PM for viewing prior to attending the program.

About Perspective Film Series

Curated by associate curator Muriel N. Kahwagi, the 2026 edition of Perspective is conceived as a sustained meditation on disaster in its broadest and most resonant terms. While ecological catastrophe remains a central point of reference, the series extends beyond literal scenarios of environmental collapse or speculative visions of planetary ruin, approaching disaster as a condition that permeates both collective structures and private lives, unfolding across social, political, and emotional terrains. In this sense, disaster is understood not only as a single event, but as an ongoing state – slow, uneven, and often normalized through systems of power, habit, and belief. The films in this series examine how moments of crisis reshape perception and behaviour, revealing fractures in meaning, and reflecting on the ways in which hope may persist long after the moment of rupture has passed.

About the Curator

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised in Alberta, Canada, Wunmi Idowu is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, teaching artist, consultant, producer, and the Founder and Director of Woezo Africa Music & Dance Theatre Inc., a role she has held since 2006.  

She is also the Founder of the Black Arts & Culture Council (BACC) and the CEO and  Executive Producer of Letura Productions Inc.  

For nearly two decades, Woezo Africa has been dedicated to bringing the rich history of  African culture to the public through a blend of traditional and modern performing arts,  including dance, music, theatre, and storytelling. In her role at Letura Productions Inc., a film production company dedicated to fostering international artistic collaborations,  Wunmi is devoted to telling impactful stories that educate, inspire, and drive change. 

She is currently developing her documentary film Exploitation of Dance: Reclaiming Our  Heritage, a thought-provoking project that explores the exploitation and commodification of African, Caribbean, and Black dance artists in the entertainment industry. Through this work, she is addressing urgent social issues and contributing to contemporary cultural discourse. Her dedication to the arts and culture sector has also been recognized with accolades, including the 24th Annual Immigrants of Distinction Award and Avenue  Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40. 

In 2020, Wunmi made her directorial debut with over 11 hours of exclusive Woezo Africa content featured on the TELUS Optik TV network. Since then, she has focused on producing impactful films, including UNGANISHA, Roots 2 Branches, and She Leads: Making a Way for Black Artists. Wunmi advocates for greater visibility of ethnically and culturally diverse artists in Alberta, hoping to challenge and shift perceptions of who participates in the arts.  Through dynamic, cutting-edge work that captivates a wide range of audiences, she aims to enhance the creative economy, empower communities, and drive social change.

Supported by

Contemporary Conversations: Our connected ecosystem

With Tyler Los-Jones, Sandra Sawatzky, and Alberta Rose W. / Ingniq
Moderated by Mona Filip

February 19
Heather Edwards Theatre | 6-7:30 PM

Join us for a conversational panel in conjunction with Entwined, featuring exhibiting artists Tyler Los-Jones, Sandra Sawatzky, and Alberta Rose W. / Ingniq. The panel will be moderated by Chief Curator Mona Filip, curator of the exhibition.

Drawing on the three artists’ practices, the conversation will reflect on shared ecologies and multispecies entanglements, considering the ways in which art can encourage an empathetic understanding of our connected world.

Contemporary Conversations are presented by RBC Foundation.

Entwined is on view in the Ring Galleries, Dome, Atrium, and Bow View Hall until March 15, 2026.

About the panellists

Tyler Los-Jones
(he/him)

Tyler Los-Jones produces objects and images from his home near the Rocky Mountains of Alberta. His work aims to complicate inherited assumptions of environments and highlight unnatural aspects of the Western conception of nature. Los-Jones is fascinated by the role that photography plays in shaping and fulfilling expectations for environments. Since graduating from the Alberta College of Art and Design (now Alberta University of the Arts) in 2007, Los-Jones’ photographic and sculptural work has been exhibited extensively across Canada and in the US. He has been commissioned to produce multiple large-scale public artworks, including A panorama protects its views for the Art Gallery of Alberta (Edmonton) and To Keep the Promise at the Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel. His most recent public artwork, Knit by roots and wings, was installed in Kelowna, BC, in September 2024.

Sandra Sawatzky
(she/her)

Sandra Sawatzky is a visual artist, storyteller, researcher and embroiderer, creating monumental textile installations that take years to make. With humour and a keen eye, she explores historical, consequential, and topical subjects with a very small needle and miles of colourful wool and silk thread. Her work has been exhibited in Canada, Britain and the USA, and has received national and international press from CBC National News and The Globe and Mail to The Guardian and Art in America.  The Calgary Herald named her a rising star in 2018. She received Calgary’s Arts Legacy Award for Outstanding Artist in 2022.

Alberta Rose W. / Ingniq
(she/her)

Alberta Rose W. / Ingniq is an Inuvialuk artist, curator, and preparator based in the Treaty 7 region of Alberta, Canada. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts with distinction from the Alberta University of the Arts, followed by a preparatory practicum at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Her practice involves painting, embroidery, beadwork, sculptural installation, video, and photography. She has participated in residencies at the Banff Centre, Contemporary Calgary, and the Calgary Central Library. Her work has been exhibited across Turtle Island. In 2021, Alberta received the honour of being named the TD Indigenous Artist of the Year in Calgary, Alberta.

About the Moderator

Mona Filip
(she/her)

Mona Filip is Contemporary Calgary’s Chief Curator. Her curatorial career spans two decades of developing critical visual art programs, supporting the production of new works, and introducing national and international artists to new audiences through first local exhibitions. Filip’s projects have explored the intersections of collective memory, place, and belonging, examining artistic strategies that redress sidelined histories, restitution and repair, and storytelling as world-building. Originally from Bucharest, Romania, Filip holds a BFA from the Corcoran School of Art, Washington DC, and an MFA from SUNY at Buffalo.

Calgary on Purpose

February 11

7 PM | Heather Edwards Theatre

In this time of deep disruption, join us in building shared purpose and affection in Calgary.  

Some organizations, for commercial or political gain, stoke distrust in one another. We celebrate our individual experiences and encourage kindness. Each one of us, 1.6 million Calagrians are different–and that is why we all belong here.

On February 11, we will present fascinating Calgarians showcasing their work, followed by insightful interviews led by the incomparable Dave Kelly. As Dave says, these evenings are like a block party where we delight in the goodwill and remarkable talents of our neighbours. Commencing at 7 PM we conclude by 8:30, though the bar will remain open for those who wish to continue the conversation. 

February 11 will be magical–literally–as one of our guests is the highly skilled magician Simon Mallett. We will also enjoy the marvellous music of country/blues singer Sonia Deleo and chat with the remarkable April Hicke, who dropped out of high school, reinvented herself, became an expert in tech and now recruits women into tech jobs. Dave will wrap up with a new story reflecting on our sense of place and will invite us to join in sharing our hopes, concerns, and dreams. 

Each of us has an opportunity to contribute to building an even better Calgary, and it can only be done together. Come be energized by delight, conversation and community connection.

These evenings are a gift from us to you. Thanks to the generous partnership of Contemporary Calgary, the support of the many Calgary on Purpose volunteers and of Calgary Arts Development, the evening is free of charge. 

Please register to reserve your seat—and do invite friends and colleagues! 

About the Speakers

Sonia Deleo

Calgary-based artist Sonia Deleo is a force in the Canadian scene, and she’s only gaining momentum. An award-winning musician, a comedian, an actor, a playwright and a mom, she is a multi-faceted performer and all-around magnetic human being, who aims to leave a trail of connectedness in her wake. Find her event calendar and more info at soniadeleo.com or follow her on IG at @soniadeleomusic.

April Hicke

With over 15 years of experience in leadership, change management, and strategic team development, April is the founder and CEO at Toast, a tech enabled talent partner dedicated to increasing gender diversity within the tech industry. She’s a Certified Change Practitioner, Top 40 honoree, TEDX speaker, and social innovation enthusiast, she leads the business with a long-term growth mindset, driving strategic direction, building strong stakeholder relationships, and refining market strategies to maximize impact and scalability. Her role is focused on steering the company towards sustainable success through bold vision and purposeful execution. 

Her core value and mission is to make a difference by disrupting the status quo and inspiring people to think outside the box, reimagine the possible, and act like owners. April is a serial relationship builder, a savvy problem solver and an exclamation mark personality. She devotes a great deal of her time coaching emerging leaders and fostering psychological safety in teams.

IG: aprilhicke

Simon Mallett Bio

Simon Mallett is an award-winning theatre director and the Executive Director of the Rozsa Foundation, but his artistic journey began with magic. As a teenager, Simon captivated audiences across North America with his magical performances, appearing at corporate events, trade shows, and Canada’s Wonderland for three consecutive summers. One of his most memorable moments was performing for an audience of 20,000 at the Toronto launch of the third Harry Potter book. While magic is no longer his primary career focus, it remains a meaningful part of his life. Simon’s deep experience in theatre enriches his magic, infusing it with narrative, emotion, and purpose. This blend transforms his performances into moments of wonder that resonate beyond illusion, creating shared experiences that bring people together.

IG: simon_yyc, simonsmagic

About the Host

Dave Kelly

Dave Kelly is an award-winning host, writer, and interviewer who creates intelligent and deeply human moments for events and keynote conversations around the world. He is the host of Dave Kelly Live - Canada’s own talk variety show. From his beginnings as a TV Host, Dave has spent decades leading conversations with business and political leaders across North America and beyond, from Stanford School of Business in California to Amman, Jordan and everywhere in between. He has led conferences and ran panels in categories as varied as health care, financial technology and artificial intelligence.  He sat down for an hour-long in-depth conversation with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in Montreal, Ellen DeGeneres selected Dave as the moderator and interviewer for her multi-city tour across Canada, and he hosted a conversation with President Barack Obama in Calgary. Dave is the co-founder of Kelly Brothers Productions, an award-winning video and entertainment company.

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