The MayWorks Windsor 2011 Festival opens on April 29th with Abilene Paradox, a multi-room environment by Vancouver, BC / New York City based First-Nations artist collective RTST (Maria Hupfield and Jason Lujan). Utilizing historical images, periodicals, documents and contemporary narrative, Abilene Paradox examines the common ground of cultural workers and trade unions.

Abilene Paradox continues through May 29 at ARTCITE INC., Windsor’s Artist Run Centre for the Contemporary Arts. Admission is free and open to the public, and gallery hours are Wed- Sat noon – 5 pm or by appointment.
Click here for Pictures of the show setup and opening reception 

Maria hupfield:

“My practice evidences the body as site of resistance and agency, often involving the viewer in the construction of narratives in relationship to land, place and one another. The work I create is interdisciplinary and often reflects the power dynamics of fourth world existence, while exploring alternative non-Western forms of knowledge. Working across disciplines allows me to engage in intersecting points of dialogue between Western and non-Western visual representations and philosophical approaches.
My work crosses a range of 2D and 3D media, including performance. I am of Anishnaabe (Ojibway) heritage, and a member of Wasauksing First Nation, in Ontario.” see more

Jason Lujan is a New York based artist of Chiricahua Apache heritage. In his artworks, Lujan raises awareness of Indigenous cultures by examining identity transitions and cultural assimilation through strategies of [re]appropriation and de-contextualization. In his video, From One Dream to Another, Lujan presents the tale of a young Indigenous girl who feels the allure of urban society.