Self-portrait with mended flesh (2020)

Manuel Axel Strain

Aberdeen Canada Line Station

Area: City Centre
Location: At main entrance on building

This Artwork is no longer on display

Materials: Photography

Program: No Program Selected
Ownership: Civic
Sponsored By: City of Richmond | Richmond Art Gallery

Description of Work

Digital print on adhesive vinyl.

Artist Statement

Self portrait with mended flesh by two-spirit artist Manuel Axel Strain is a diptych depicting the artist’s connection to their Grandmother. The work is born out of the artist’s internalized struggle to accept their own identity. Wrapped in their grandmother’s scarf, the artist’s arms metaphorically carry a spiritual connection and kinship to their ancestors. With such gestures of guidance and care by the older generation, the artist reflects on the traumatic times of their life, expressed in terms of vulnerability and resilience, in reference to current and historical forms of colonial violence.