Discover new artwork by Alanah Jewell on Union’s facade banners and in the Front Street Vitrine.
Union Presents
The Meaning of Connection
Sponsored by TD
The Meaning of Connection speaks to how something so small can hold an entire universe of meaning. We often pass a single flower and admire its beauty without thinking about its value; if you magnify that flower, you can see that it is intricately connected to the rest of Creation. The flower is food for the bee, who is a pollinator for plants in a different territory, that are food for the rabbits, who are food for the foxes, who eat the berries that are shaded by the trees, that are homes to the birds, that migrate south and create more life each year, bringing beauty and songs for our southern relatives. That single flower, like each living being, is immensely important. We all have our own version of the flower that helps us stay intricately connected to each other.
The Meaning of Connection depicts the way Sky Domes are an entire universe for Haudenosaunee. Sky Domes have become a universal motif, often seen on a smaller scale, yet representing such great beliefs: our connection to Sky World, the physical world, our Creation story, our medicines, foods, lands, water, the sun, the moon, our stories, our teachings, and our ancestors. Traditionally, the Sky Dome is identified by its dome shape with swirling, celestial trees, often repeated in a pattern and with other elements like water, medicines, land and more. Sky Domes often line the borders of our skirts, appear in our beadwork and regalia, and are a central piece of art in our homes and on our bodies.
For the vitrine, I wanted to honour the way we have traditionally displayed Sky Domes and created a universal emblem that connects all Haudenosaunee to each other. This piece pays homage to the ancestors that took an entire way of life and found a single symbol to represent everything that matters, existing for millennia as a central piece of who we are, and have become a symbol that we each wear with pride.
For the outdoor banners, I wanted to show what the Sky Dome represents on a magnified scale. Here, you see a single Sky Dome in the background, with life flowing in and out. This is meant to represent how a single Sky Dome is boundless, representing so much, for so long, and for so many beings. It tells a single story about bears spending time by a river, with swallows flying above, during a beautiful summer sunset. These beings exist in harmony amongst the plants, the medicines, the rolling hills and the sky. What would each Sky Dome look like if we stopped for a moment and zoomed in?
My hope for The Meaning of Connection is for each of us to bring meaning to everything; to see how important, valued, and indispensable life is. Like the Sky Dome, or the flower, we all have a place in Creation, in our stories and in our future.
About the Artist
Alanah Astehtsi Otsistohkwa (Morningstar) Jewell (she/her) is a mixed First Nations artist. She is proudly Bear Clan from Oneida Nation of the Thames, grew up off-reserve and currently lives in Kitchener, Ontario. Alanah is a passionate illustrator, painter and muralist, and appreciates all forms of art, challenging herself to try every form. Her career is one for her many passions: the intersection of nature, expression, community and joy is her favourite place to be.
Her work is often described as symmetrical, colourful and soft. She works to create vast worlds through her artwork that feel safe and calm, and strives to show how nature can feel when you create a friendship with her. An avid animal lover, she feels deep love, passion and empathy for all living beings; they are not just her subjects, but the life source of her work, and her biggest inspiration.
About Union
Union is honoured to present this exhibition by artist Alanah Jewell, whose work deeply aligns with our programming vision of celebrating creativity, inclusion, and civic connection. We are proud to highlight voices of Indigenous Peoples in our year-round programming, especially in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. With the support of organizations like the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund and TD, we are grateful to create space for meaningful dialogue and reflection through Alanah’s powerful artistic lens.
As a proud Legacy Spaces partner with the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund, we are continuing to use our public space to take reconciliACTION.
About TD
We recognize art from the Indigenous community is made of diverse forms and holds different meanings that can create conversations about the past, present, and future. TD has been highlighting artists from Indigenous communities since 1967 through the TD Gallery of Indigenous Art and is committed to advancing Truth and Reconciliation by amplifying diverse voices that leverage the power of art as a means to learn more about the historical and ongoing contributions of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Learn more about how TD is working together with Indigenous Communities at td.com/indigenous.
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For more information about Union’s programming visit torontounion.ca
