On Wednesday, September 15th from 6 – 9 pm give’r all you got and get out there to the opening of GIVN’R, the rockin’ survey of the past five years of work by Calgary artist Terrance Houle. Houle’s examinations of cultural identity, alienation, assimilation, and Hollywood stereotypes of Aboriginals are intended to provoke. His extensive body of work ranges from painting to drawing, video/film, new media, performance, and installation — often utilizing tools of mass dissemination such as billboards and vinyl bus signage. The exhibition continues until Sunday, December 5th, 2010.

While the main works in the exhibition reflect the humour and DIY approach to art making that Houle is most known for (Urban Indian Series, Pitchin’ Tipis, Landscape, The Wagon Burner, for example), the recent installation, Untitled, points to a new direction for the artist’s work that highlights the specific ceremonies, traditions, and historical events of First Nations People in Canada such as Indian Leg Wrestling, Indian Sign Language, and All for You, a project made in collaboration with First Nations people who grew up with the effects of the Residential School System. Houle’s works continue to engage his Aboriginal and non-aboriginal viewers in accessible and participatory ways, allowing them, in the words of the artist, “to let go and say what they want — like good punk rock!” GIVE’R!