“Finding Home”: local photographer’s exhibit featured at Studio 2880

The exhibit also has a strong focus on what home means to Watmough, as his art brings life to his personal journey of rediscovering his lost Métis heritage. Explaining that he didn’t start to understand his culture and Indigenous roots until he was 18-19 years old, Watmough said the last eight to ten years has been a daily journey exploring what his Indigenous heritage means to him and how that connects to home.

“That’s what I’ll be really going over in my exhibit is just finding home through my art and sharing stories through my art. Where I’ve been, where I’ve taken any images, captured any images, as well as why do they connect me to home and how do they connect me to home”

While photography isn’t the only way of expressing and exploring his Métis heritage, as it’s a deep and personal daily experience with many aspects, he says his art does play a big role in coming to understand his roots.

“Photography is a fantastic way of grounding me, it’s a fantastic way of really appreciating where I am and then from there on it’s appreciating where I am, where I could be in five years, and what can I learn from now to then,” he says.

Several of his pieces feature Aurora Borealis, and while most would agree that the Aurora is a breathtaking view, it holds extra significance to Watmough and many other Indigenous community members.

“They represent the cycle of life and bringing back people to the spirit world, and that’s why they dance in a circle, they are dancing with the circle of ancestors,” he said.

Watmough added he doesn’t speak for all Indigenous cultures and beliefs, as he explained many different Indigenous nations have different views on the Aurora, but for Watmough it’s a way for him to connect with his ancestors.

The exhibit opens on October 18, and will be open until November 21.

by Tommy Osborne

“Finding Home”: local photographer’s exhibit featured at Studio 2880

What's Trending