BAM & Brody Burns

Bridges Art Movement (BAM) is an artist collective residing in  Saskatoon, SK with the goal of facilitating an open and accessible space for artists and culture workers. Comprised of David Stonhouse, Alexa Hainsworth, Alana Moore, Derek Sandbeck, Andie Palynchuk, Cynthia Blanchette, Joanna Speed, and Aralia Maxwell and formed in 2015, the collective gives artists in the community an opportunity to use their space as a studio for experimentation, production, and harnessing creative energy. Founding member and co-director David Stonhouse explains “we want to treat the space as a project space for emerging artists who are trying new things, experimenting, and collaborating, to learn and try new things together. Learning and risking.”

BAM is aware of its place within the city and the prairies as a whole. The collective believes they are filling a void in Saskatoon, as many artists may feel the need to look elsewhere for opportunities after completing their visual arts based education. BAM is structured to be a resource that fills that need. Due to the nature and flexibility of the space, they have the ability to schedule shows with a quick turn-over and work with artists to facilitate the fresh and experimental ideas. Stonhouse reiterates this statement in relation to the prairies, “this is totally BAM, the prairie people are totally DIY, they don’t wait for things to happen, you make it happen yourself mentality, the prairies have a history of that.“

BAM was previously located on 20th Street in Saskatoon’s Riversdale neighborhood, but is now currently located in the underground Drinkle Mall Building on 3^rd Ave in downtown Saskatoon. Dave Denny, the building’s owner, proudly supports the collective—fostering a symbiotic relationship that has allowed the collective to cultivate artist residencies, multi-faceted exhibitions, and unique opportunities for artists. Through this partnership, the downtown business improvement district (DTNYXE) has begun to provide promotional support for BAM, along with seeking new future partners to assist in the growth of the organization. This new location allows BAM to continue its passion for creating an environment in which artists can activate the space they inhabit, and support the creation of work that is both kinetic and engaging. At the epicenter of their new relationship with the Drinkle Mall is BAM’s plan to host emerging artists in their space in the form of month-long artist residencies.

This August BAM launched its inaugural artist residency with the welcoming of Brody Burns, an emerging Treaty Six Plains Cree Artist from James Smith Cree Nation. Burns is a psychology major studying at the University of Saskatchewan but has developed his painting practice over the last few years. Burns is working with an abstract and spiritually influenced framework inspired by Alex Janvier, Kevin Pee-ace, and Jerry Whitehead.

The method of abstraction in his current work is an extension of an earlier graffiti practice. The liquefaction and calculated technique Burns uses inherently feels as if he is melting together thought and genre. Burns is inspired by ceremonial experiences through his culture and community, such as sweats and sun dances—influencing his work both physically and spiritually.

Walking into Burns’ studio space I was immediately met with a large selection of paintings covering the walls. Enveloping the entire back wall of the space was a mural which Burns described to me as near to completion. The scale and fluidity of the work have an inescapable and mesmerizing quality. Burns told me that he only brought along a few pieces from his previous space, and that almost everything I was viewing was made in the last week or so. It was clear to me that Burns entered this residency ready to hit the ground running. During our conversation, Burns explained the concept “as above, so below” as looking at the polarities of our world and depicting through thought and reflection not what we see, but rather what we may feel. Burns is creating expressive work from the world around him, his culture, and his heritage. The portrayals in his work are reflections of what he sees as the interaction between spirit, energy, vibration, and the cosmos. Burns hopes that his work can make viewers think beyond our physical world and towards existence in the universe.

Within Burns’ work, there is a connection between his own personal history and what he is searching for in the rest of the world. He is bringing elements of his mentors and inspirations and incorporating them with his own experience and perspective, creating a method of storytelling that is respectful in origin and optimistic for where he wants to take it.

BAM is a collective looking to create opportunities for those who are unsure how to take the next step in their artistic career, or for those who feel like there are no available channels or spaces to express themselves. Currently, BAM’s main challenges are related to funding. While they have been successful with the Saskatchewan Arts Board’s microgrant program, they believe that there is currently a lack of institutional funding and funding bodies within the province, hindering small institutions from growing larger. The collective is actively seeking out new modes of funding, with the intention to grow professionally and to have the ability to properly support the artists who inhabit their space. Stonhouse hopes that local development projects, such as the newly proposed Downtown Saskatoon Grant, could ensure future sustainability for BAM and allow the collective to establish a long-term operational strategy.

BAM encourages anyone interested in applying for a residency to contact them at bamsaskatoon@gmail.com. The collective will provide project space, a small stipend for materials, social media promotion, and support from BAM artists. The call for one-month long proposals are still open—all mediums and projects are welcomed.