Application to Stride Gallery

Below is my application for the Prairie Crocus space at Stride Gallery and the response that it has been received by Eva Birhanu, curatorial resident.

My name is Kaela Murphy (she/her) and I am interested in applying to the Prairie Crocus space. My practice is multidisciplinary, incorporating sculpture, drawing, and printmaking as I respond to unsolicited touching and uncomfortable conversations that I face as a biracial woman. Having been raised in Regina, and now residing in Lethbridge as I complete my final year of the BFA program in Studio Art at the University of Lethbridge, my lived experience has been one of confrontation often centred around and filtered through my hair. 

I would like to utilize the Prairie Crocus space to display extension. It is a braid made from my hair saved from previous haircuts. In its current iteration, it is 11' 3" long and will continue to grow with each future haircut. It represents the time and labour that goes into caring for my hair, as well as the microaggressions that I face as strangers reach to touch or feel it without my consent. I would like to display this in the window front space of Prairie Crocus because both the back wall and the window will provide barriers for the viewer, not allowing them to touch the object of their desire and instead be forced to grapple with their perception of privilege. Working with a public-facing space such as Prairie Crocus will allow me to confront the viewer while simultaneously not allowing them to respond, an act that reverses the role that I so often unwillingly assume. 

Thank you for your time and consideration, 

Kaela Murphy (she/her)

Hello Kaela,

Thank you for your submission, I have made sure to add your work to our files. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Best,

eva birhanu

Curatorial Resident

She/Her