Bio:
Ostoro’s work mainly deals with themes of kinship, community, identity and our surrounding natural and sociopolitical environments. Their work contemplates on these themes, drawing the threads together into an interconnected weft that is intended to begin dialogues with their communities on topics under-discussed and under-recognized in the wider, dominant cultural narrative. This practice evolved from one that focused itself mainly in self-reflections with very little thought to the audience. Over time the practice of self-reflection matured and now seeks to ground itself in community and relationships to draw it into larger narratives outside of themselves. Major influences on their artwork ranges from Toni Morrison, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, Norval Morrisseau’s Androgyny, internet and pop culture, textiles, rural county living and memories from their childhood.
Artist Statement
In my artistic practice I am continually asking, evaluating and contemplating questions around community, identity and kinship while navigating the current environmental and sociopolitical crisis we have found ourselves in during these times. These contemplations are often rooted in a practice that explores themes of love for other racialized queer and trans people and the interconnected ways it is tied to loving the land. I am interested in exploring the challenge to cisgendered, heterosexual voyeurism latent within these expressions of unconditional love and in the discomfort that it has the potential to present to those invested within dominant narratives towards racialized queer and trans people. Toni Morrison’s “white gaze” heavily influences my work, having led to a question that has become a foundational pillar in my practice: “who is this for?” A question that leads me in my practice as I navigate these issues and respond to them. Leanne Betasamosake Simpson’s book “As We Have Always Done” forms a secondary pillar in my practice, informing the direction of my work and life in a multitude of ways, but most especially through the reminder of what decolonization can look like, what it can be and its potential in healing for generations to come.
In dismantling dominant narratives through exploring love in kinship contemplations, I am working to build visions of our futures for myself and for those who often times are left without and who are often left discarded and disregarded in conversations of what the future can be. My practice has moved towards imagining what this can look like or manifest for racialized queer and trans individuals, alongside those belonging to groups with an investment in dominating narratives. In these reflective dialogues, my work attempts to move beyond the usual narratives of trauma, suffering and despondency often burdened upon those with marginalized identities and attempts to move towards building community and kinship ties, and maybe even create expressions of hope and love for those who most need it.
The materials I use in my work is a range of multi-media materials ranging from objects found and taken from my surrounding environment, to materials such as sterling silver, copper, digital programs to create soundscapes and music, poetry and spoken word. I utilize drawing, painting, metalworking techniques, digital tools, writing, media and sculpture.
On September 11th at 6:00pm (est) join us via Instagram @artciteinc for a live conversation and reflection with artist Ostoro Petahtegoose. Petahtegoose will be joined by Artcite programming coordinator Imogen Clendinning to discuss their residency project, community activism and public space in Windsor/Essex.
Following Petahtegoose’s Artcite residency, they completed an informal document articulating their experience and artistic process, reflection and making as an act of care:
