With the arrival of spring comes a plethora of activities and events that breathe new life into Ottawa’s arts and culture sector. One such event is currently underway at the Ottawa School of Art’s Orleans Campus: A new solo exhibition by B.C.-based visual artist Deborah Koenker, whose works have been exhibited across North America and beyond.
From March 26 to May 6, Koenker makes her Ottawa debut with her exhibition Neither Safe Nor Quiet: Trouble Came. Developed during the pandemic, Neither Safe Nor Quiet was inspired heavily by Dante Alighieri’s timeless classic The Divine Comedy and portrays aspects of mental illness and addiction.
Koenker’s installation received funding from the Canadian Council of Arts and over time, it evolved from a series of theatrical textile backdrops to five performances—complete with costumes and even some singing—which she originally presented in the laneway behind her Vancouver studio (in a physically distanced setting, of course).
“I realized since I was making them that I had more to say about mental health than I could really present in textile work. So I decided to step into performance,” said Koenker.
Neither Safe Nor Quiet also plays an important role in helping Koenker spread the word about mental health and promote people’s understanding of it.
“It’s very stigmatized in our society and people […] don’t want to talk about it often. They don’t want to ask for help or they’re in denial. And I think that it’s really important to work to remove that stigma,” said Koenker. “My intention with this work is to bring it into focus and to help people think about it and maybe develop more compassion for it and remove some of the stigma in talking about it.”
Hanging by a Thread. Photo: Nadine Argo.
Along with the previously mentioned Divine Comedy, Koenker was also inspired by her interactions with some students with mental health issues while teaching at the Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, as well as her own personal experiences.
“I have had some in my own family, and I experienced postpartum depression myself after the birth of my second child. So I know firsthand what that is like,” said Koenker. “If it’s not themselves, everyone knows someone that’s suffering with mental health or addiction issues.”
Keonker even drew inspiration from the works of American novelist William Styron, particularly his book Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness, where he talks about his descent into and struggles with depression and the journey he takes to recover from it.
“When I read his experience, it was really a way of realizing my own experience, and being able to show my family ‘this is how it feels, this is what I’m going through,'” said Koenker.
Close-up image of Dante’s Inferno. Photo: Nadine Argo.
Among the many major life-changing events brought on by the pandemic, the need to pay attention to mental health and addiction issues became more important than ever. In the months that follow, Koenker hopes that people who come to see her solo exhibition will take to heart its message, as well as the importance of being able to relate with kindness to people.
“If people come that suffer from these conditions, I hope they’ll take away that they’re heard, that they’re seen, and that people do care,” said Koenker.
Deborah Koenker’s solo exhibition Neither Safe Nor Quiet: Trouble Came is free to attend and is located at the Ottawa School of Arts Orleans Campus in the Shenkman Arts Centre, 245 Centrum Blvd.
If you need mental health support, there are resources available from Ottawa Public Health and the Canadian Mental Health Association. If you are in crisis, you can contact the Mental Health Crisis Line at 613-722-6914 or the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region at 613-238-3311 (both available 24 hours a day/7 days a week).
