Ceramic gopher balancing in "Warrior 3" on a stand-up paddle board. One of the many by Annette ten Cate on display now in the Tumbleweed Project Space.--SUBMITTED PHOTO Sierra Zukowski
To prairie dwellers, the ground squirrel – or gopher, colloquially – is often subjected to the category of “pest.” We curse at the small creatures for digging holes in fields and feel little remorse upon seeing them flattened on highways. But one advocate is hoping that this perspective has shifted – at least a little bit – thanks to a widely beloved exhibition of ceramic artwork that’s been on display this summer in Medicine Hat.
Go-Pher a Float by local artist Annette ten Cate presents a population of ceramic ground squirrels embarking on a journey regularly enjoyed by Hatters: a float down the South Saskatchewan River.
When I first met Annette, there was a newborn fawn making temporary residence in her front garden. This may have simply been coincidence, but I like to think the doe could acutely sense that her youngster would be safe in proximity to Annette. Either way, this first impression accurately foretold what working with Annette to produce Go-Pher a Float would be like.
In each conversation with Annette, her deep respect for all living things is evident. Her general joy surrounding life is contagious inevitably seeps into her artwork. Crafted from clay and a few simple wooden tools, Annette’s sculptures can’t help but bring smiles to the faces of onlookers.
As the curator of Tumbleweed Project Space at the Esplanade, it’s my job to work alongside artists to help bring their vision to life. I provide support and feedback on anything and everything related to each exhibition. This includes choosing paint colours (like cheerful river blue and golden prairie yellow), brainstorming display solutions (like a collection of floating shelves for a collection of floating gophers) and designing a visual identity that is cohesive with the mood of the exhibition (like a font that recalls the buoyancy of an inner tube). Essentially, the goal is to craft an environment that best portrays the artwork and most accurately presents the artist’s message.
One of the great things about art is that it challenges us to see things from new perspectives. Although Annette’s work is playful, cute and accessible, her sculptures also raise questions about the relationships we hold with species we share habitats with. Her work makes us wonder why we see some creatures as precious and other ones as expendable.
As October looms, the season for river floating will draw to a close for humans and ceramic gophers alike. Kayaks will be put into storage for the winter and a new exhibition will be mounted in Tumbleweed Project Space.
But in the spring, when the ground squirrels begin to emerge from hibernation and the ice floes clear from the South Saskatchewan, I hope Hatters recall Annette’s exhibition. Perhaps an image of a gopher sporting an infamous “bikini shirt” or one balancing in “Warrior 3” on a stand-up paddle board.
Whatever may float up in each individual’s mind, I hope that memory inspires feelings of camaraderie, kinship and in typical Annette-fashion, delight.
Sierra Zukowski is the Travelling Exhibition Assistant for TREX Southeast and curates exhibitions for Tumbleweed Project Space at the Esplanade. Go-pher a Float is on display in Tumbleweed Project Space until October 15, 2022
