• Artist Project
  • Feature

Creating From Both Sides of the Canada-US Border During COVID-19

Shorelines

Nov 20, 2020
by Maureen Gruben and Sonya Kelliher-Combs

In March 2020, artists Maureen Gruben and Sonya Kelliher-Combs were set to embark on a reciprocal artist exchange through the IAF Circumpolar Exchange Program—a longtime dream of two artists who share an aesthetic affinity and a deep mutual respect for one another’s work. 

Due to global health concerns and travel restrictions, an already long journey became impossible. With flight routes cancelled and borders shut, Gruben and Kelliher-Combs embarked on residencies separately, but together. Over the summer months, the artists shared notes, images and numerous stories via email, FaceTime and telephone. The following pages capture an intimate look at the seeds of their collaboration thus far.



SonyaTether
Sonya Kelliher-Combs

SonyaTetherText

MaureenInterview
Maureen Gruben
MaureenInterviewText

SonyaNewArtifact11
Sonya Kelliher-Combs
SonyaNewArtifact11Text

SonyaKasilofBeach
Sonya Kelliher-Combs
SonyaKasilofBeachText

SonyaNewArtifactUnravelled
Sonya Kelliher-Combs
SonyaNewArtifactUnraveledText

MaureenTundraTalkSocial
Maureen Gruben
MaureenTundraTalkText

MaureenUpland
Maureen Gruben
MaureenUplandText

MaureenOffering
Maureen Gruben
MaureenOfferingText

SonyaKasilofBeachCloth
Sonya Kelliher-Combs
SonyaKasilofBeachClothText

SonyaCovid
Sonya Kelliher-Combs
SonyaCovidText

MaureenAcrossTime
Maureen Gruben
MaureenAcrossTimeText

Experience a virtual reality version of Gruben's piece

MaureenDrinkingWater
Maureen Gruben
MaureenDrinknigWaterTest

SonyaFromTheBody
Sonya Kelliher-Combs
SonyaFromTheBodyText

MaureenUblaami
Maureen Gruben
MaureenUblaamiText

MaureeQikiuryuaq
Maureen Gruben
MaureenQikiryuaqText

SonyaSunset
Sonya Kelliher-Combs
SonyaSunsetText

MaureenRisingTide
Maureen Gruben
MaureenRisingTideText

 

The IAF Circumpolar Exchange Program is made possible through support from the Canada Council for the Arts. Sonya Kelliher-Combs’s residency was further supported by the Nordic Lab, an initiative of Galerie Saw Gallery in partnership with the Canada Council for the Arts.