Bio
Brielle Reeves was born in 1998 in Chilliwack, British Columbia, though she now lives and works in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She graduated from the Alberta University of the Arts in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts as a Jewellery and Metals major. Through her beadwork practice, she discusses her experiences as an Indigenous and white individual. Her work has been shown in multiple group exhibitions during the extent of her school career.
Brielle Reeves was born in 1998 in Chilliwack, British Columbia, though she now lives and works in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She graduated from the Alberta University of the Arts in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts as a Jewellery and Metals major. Through her beadwork practice, she discusses her experiences as an Indigenous and white individual. Her work has been shown in multiple group exhibitions during the extent of her school career.
Statement
My work is an exploration and declaration of my identity as a mixed Indigenous and white woman. Due to my Indigenous parent growing up without a connection to their culture, I also had very little knowledge of culture and felt estranged from it. As I have been seeking deeper understanding and connection, I recently have incorporated Indigenous beadworking techniques into my jewellery practice.
Through my beaded pieces I explore the liminality of being a biracial individual and seeking to find a balance between expressions of identity. I take the common, traditional approaches to Indigenous beading and imbue my contemporary understanding of race and identity into my work. Beaded pieces are often illustrational due to the maneuverability of the small, multi-coloured beads and I use this to my advantage in my work. I use recognizable imagery to interest the viewer, which then invites them to learn more about the pieces and by extension my own story.
According to many Indigenous cultures, beading is medicine. As I fall into the meditative space of stitching each bead onto the felt, I imbue the piece with my thoughts and experiences. This provides opportunities for healing and for mutual understanding between me and the viewer.
My work is an exploration and declaration of my identity as a mixed Indigenous and white woman. Due to my Indigenous parent growing up without a connection to their culture, I also had very little knowledge of culture and felt estranged from it. As I have been seeking deeper understanding and connection, I recently have incorporated Indigenous beadworking techniques into my jewellery practice.
Through my beaded pieces I explore the liminality of being a biracial individual and seeking to find a balance between expressions of identity. I take the common, traditional approaches to Indigenous beading and imbue my contemporary understanding of race and identity into my work. Beaded pieces are often illustrational due to the maneuverability of the small, multi-coloured beads and I use this to my advantage in my work. I use recognizable imagery to interest the viewer, which then invites them to learn more about the pieces and by extension my own story.
According to many Indigenous cultures, beading is medicine. As I fall into the meditative space of stitching each bead onto the felt, I imbue the piece with my thoughts and experiences. This provides opportunities for healing and for mutual understanding between me and the viewer.
Passing of Memories |
Necklace: 40 in, Hands: 1.5x1 in | 2019
Earworms | Left: 1.25x13 in, Right: 1.25x 10.5 in |
2021
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Earworms (on body) | Left: 1.25x13 in, Right: 1.25x 10.5 in |
2021
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Honour and Remembrance | 4x3.75 in | 2020
Bead Soup Soul | 4x2.5” | 2021
Who Am I To You? | 4.75x3.5 in | 2020
Keepsake for the
Forgotten | 2.5x 3 in, Necklace: 16 in | 2021
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Keepsake for the
Forgotten (on body) | 2.5x 3 in, Necklace: 16 in | 2021
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Apple Cross-section (on body) | 2x3x0.5 in | 2021
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Apple Cross-section | 2x3x0.5 in | 2021
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