Visitor (Yukon Territory)
(Page under construction) I am conscious of being a visitor when I encounter new landscapes. In the summer of 2024 I was thrilled to have been invited as artist in residence at Kluane National Park in the Yukon Territory. Recently, I read a passage by Barry Lopez which has given me a gentle guideline on how to be a visitor. Ask the place, “Who are you? How do I say your name? May I sit down? Should I go now?” Many local people were kind enough to help answer such questions.
The effects of global warming are quite visible in the Yukon and repercussions on the land have sudden and drastic domino effects. Many glaciers feed into the grand Kaskawulsh glacier, but they are all shrinking at alarming rates. I learned that in 2016 the river that drains Kaskawulsh meltwater was rerouted over four days and now flows to a different ocean. The A’ay Chu River that once carried this water is now much diminished. It flows into Lu’an Man (Kluane Lake) which is also shrinking. These works speak of glorious, but rapidly transforming landscapaes.
With thanks to the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, Kluane First Nation, Kluane Lake Research Station, Parks Canada and the Yukon Arts Centre.
Thechal Dhal Thinking About her Lake
Bigger Than My Phone is comprised of small sketches I made during the residency. I have yet to assemble them into a finished piece.
