The cold, which is slowly returning to Montreal, makes us want to put on a sweater—preferably one knitted by a grandmother or mother, preferably one that smells like a childhood vacation home. The colder it gets, the more nostalgic we become. And in addition to knitting for this fall, we’re going to follow Carrie Allison’s lead and immerse ourselves in ancestral craft traditions.
The residency program of the 8th Indigenous Contemporary Art Biennial and the McCord Stewart Museum present the work of Carrie Allison. She presents a new body of work inspired by and rooted in floral beadwork traditions connected to her Nêhiýaw and Métis maternal territories.
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BEADWORK, HISTORY, AND ARCHIVES
Carrie Allison’s exhibition, askōhtēskanohwē (“following the tracks”), begins with research and archival work conducted during the Indigenous Biennial’s residency program in collaboration with the McCord Stewart Museum.
Hard-to-find beads, beaded works from the museum’s collections, and prairie plants preserved in the herbarium at Kew Gardens in London—beading is one of the mediums Allison uses, but above all, it is a subject of study.
Allison’s research is deeply rooted in her personal history and her community, as well as in the history of Indigenous communities. Her methodology is also grounded in emotion, and the artist’s discoveries are transformed into delicate, context-rich pieces.
This exhibition is a must-see when we miss our moms, to learn more about the art of beadwork and its origins and unique characteristics, and for those who have a closet dedicated solely to their craft projects. It runs through the end of February 2027.
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PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Where? The McCord Stewart Museum, 690 Sherbrooke Street West
When? September 30, 2026, through February 28, 2027
How? General admission: $22 ($20 online)
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