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Photographs taken by Indigenous artist Dayna Danger when she was in Edmonton in April will be revealed at Latitude 53 on June 9.
Big'Uns is a photographic project in which Danger explores the act of reclaiming power over sexualities and bodies by trans, non-binary and female- identifying participants.
“Big’ Uns is an ongoing photographic portrait series that explores the reclaiming of sexuality and our bodies. These photographs are an act of reclaiming power over our own sexualities. This struggle is physically represented by strapped-on antler racks that protrude from our reproductive areas. The antlers, and the tension that they cause, allude to the many factors that women must contend with in order to have healthy relationships, positive self-image, and, of course, sexual relationships.
“For us these factors include the first-hand experience and/or the intergenerational effects of residential schooling, sexual abuse, and the unrealistic portrayal of our bodies by the media. By repossessing the antlers in this way, we aim to demonstrate a reclaiming of power for women identified, trans, trans and non-binary individuals and how we choose to be seen,” says Danger in her artist statement.
Danger is an emerging Queer, Métis/Saulteaux/Polish artist raised in Winnipeg. Utilizing
photography, sculpture, and video, her practice questions the line between empowerment and
objectification by claiming space with her human scale work. Danger is currently based in Montreal.
Big’ Uns is curated by Ociciwan Contemporary Arts Collective.