Talking to Papou is an exhibition of paintings, lithographs, and multimedia works by Austin Henderson inspired by his Greek Canadian grandfather, or “papou.” An avid traveller, gardener, volunteer, and lifetime resident of Oshawa, Henderson’s grandfather passed away in 1988 from AIDS-related complications, nearly a decade before Henderson was born. Over the years, it was difficult for Henderson’s family to talk openly about his grandfather’s death because of the grief and social stigma that surrounded it; Henderson himself only learned about the cause of his grandfather’s brief illness when he came out to his parents as a young adult. The works in this exhibition are an effort by the artist to get to know his grandfather through the photos, journals, and legacy he left behind.
Henderson cultivates a connection with his grandfather in various ways, by transforming materials from both private and public archives into works of art. For instance, painting from reference photos offers a devotional space for the artist to study and spend time with his grandfather’s likeness and interests. In letters from the artist to his grandfather, printed as lithographs, Henderson recreates the intimacy of written correspondence, sharing his own experiences and posing questions. While his grandfather can’t respond, these works are symbolic of the relationship that could have been and operate as a means of mutual witnessing, displacing secrecy and shame with tenderness and love. Additional works expand outward from the artist’s personal relationship with his grandfather towards a broader exploration of memory, oral storytelling, queer identity, and the AIDS crisis in North America. Through replication and extrapolation, Henderson creates a speculative portrait of a man, and a relationship, forged through absence, remembrance, and joyful reclamation.
Artist Bio:
Austin Henderson is an artist, writer, and cultural worker based in Tiohtià:ke / Mooniyang / Montréal, with familial roots in Oshawa, Ontario (Williams Treaty Territory). Working primarily in drawing, painting, and printmaking, Austin’s practice is attentive to queer histories and politics of the archive. Austin’s work has been presented in Canada and the United States, and his writing has appeared in Esse arts + opinions and Visual Arts News. Austin has participated in residencies with Union House Arts, Momus, and the New York Academy of Art. His practice has been supported by the Canada Council for the Arts. Austin holds an MA in Art History from Concordia University and a BFA from Queen’s University.
The RBC Emerging Artist Residency Program is generously sponsored by the RBC Foundation’s Emerging Artist Project.
