In Conversation with Rose Bouthillier, Shirley Moorhouse and Zadie Xa
Join Rose Bouthillier, Shirley Moorhouse, and Zadie Xa as they come together in conversation to reflect on process, collaboration and more.
Join guest curator Rose Bouthillier and artists Shirley Moorhouse, and Zadie Xa as they come together in conversation to reflect on process, collaboration, and the role of relationship in contemporary practice.
Rose Bouthillier, who has curated exhibitions with both Shirley Moorhouse and Zadie Xa, engages with both of the artists as they discuss making, research, and points of connection between their exhibitions.
Shirley Moorhouse’s textile-based, mixed-media practice is grounded in land, memory, and cultural continuity, while Zadie Xa’s immersive, multidisciplinary work explores spirituality, mythology, and diasporic identity.
Rose Bouthillier is an independent curator based in Maberly, NL. Throughout her career, her focus has been on working closely with artists to develop and present new projects, promoting under-recognized voices and creating thoughtful inter-generational dialogues.
Shirley Moorhouse (b. Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Nunatsiavut; 1955 -) is a highly respected member of the national arts community. Her work has been featured in exhibitions such as the 2023 Bonavista Biennale (Bonavista Peninsula, NL), INUA: Inuit Nunangat Ungammmuaktut Atautikkut (Inuit Moving Forward Together), (Qaumajuq/Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2020); and SakKijâjuk: Art and Craft from Nunatsiavut (2017), a nationally traveling exhibition that originated at The Rooms.
Zadie Xa has developed an expansive practice that addresses the nature of diasporic identities, global histories, familial legacies, and interspecies communication. For her, art offers a means to analyse socio-political conditions and cultural behaviours through a lens of masquerade, play, costuming, and storytelling.
Images:
Shirley Moorhouse, Canadian Sovereignty of the Northern Lights #1, 2005. Collection of the artist
Zadie Xa, Muscle Memory, Vision Quest, 2024.Courtesy of the artist and Thaddaeus Ropac. Photo by: Eva Herzog
Respect and Inclusion
By registering for this Program you agree to co-create, in collaboration with Esker Staff, Artists and Volunteers, an atmosphere of mutual inclusion and respect for all persons. This includes speaking, acting and behaving in a way that is absent of violence, harassment, racism, intimidation, bullying or discrimination of any kind regardless of, and not limited to gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, culture, age and ability. This includes in online/digital forums.
Media Consent
By participating in a program or event at Esker Foundation you consent to having Recordings taken (images, photographs, videos, audio recordings or other media) of yourself and/or your dependent(s) to be included in Esker Foundation’s Recordings Bank. This is a collection of Recordings intended to showcase the gallery’s activities, primarily for archival and reporting purposes. They may also be used for promotional purposes: on Esker Foundation’s website, social media or marketing materials. Esker Foundation will not use these Recordings for commercial purposes. Participants will be notified when Recordings are being taken, and may always opt out on the day of the program.
Should you require any support, or have any questions, please reach out to: programs - @ - eskerfoundation.com
Join Rose Bouthillier, Shirley Moorhouse, and Zadie Xa as they come together in conversation to reflect on process, collaboration and more.
Join guest curator Rose Bouthillier and artists Shirley Moorhouse, and Zadie Xa as they come together in conversation to reflect on process, collaboration, and the role of relationship in contemporary practice.
Rose Bouthillier, who has curated exhibitions with both Shirley Moorhouse and Zadie Xa, engages with both of the artists as they discuss making, research, and points of connection between their exhibitions.
Shirley Moorhouse’s textile-based, mixed-media practice is grounded in land, memory, and cultural continuity, while Zadie Xa’s immersive, multidisciplinary work explores spirituality, mythology, and diasporic identity.
Rose Bouthillier is an independent curator based in Maberly, NL. Throughout her career, her focus has been on working closely with artists to develop and present new projects, promoting under-recognized voices and creating thoughtful inter-generational dialogues.
Shirley Moorhouse (b. Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Nunatsiavut; 1955 -) is a highly respected member of the national arts community. Her work has been featured in exhibitions such as the 2023 Bonavista Biennale (Bonavista Peninsula, NL), INUA: Inuit Nunangat Ungammmuaktut Atautikkut (Inuit Moving Forward Together), (Qaumajuq/Winnipeg Art Gallery, 2020); and SakKijâjuk: Art and Craft from Nunatsiavut (2017), a nationally traveling exhibition that originated at The Rooms.
Zadie Xa has developed an expansive practice that addresses the nature of diasporic identities, global histories, familial legacies, and interspecies communication. For her, art offers a means to analyse socio-political conditions and cultural behaviours through a lens of masquerade, play, costuming, and storytelling.
Images:
Shirley Moorhouse, Canadian Sovereignty of the Northern Lights #1, 2005. Collection of the artist
Zadie Xa, Muscle Memory, Vision Quest, 2024.Courtesy of the artist and Thaddaeus Ropac. Photo by: Eva Herzog
Respect and Inclusion
By registering for this Program you agree to co-create, in collaboration with Esker Staff, Artists and Volunteers, an atmosphere of mutual inclusion and respect for all persons. This includes speaking, acting and behaving in a way that is absent of violence, harassment, racism, intimidation, bullying or discrimination of any kind regardless of, and not limited to gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, culture, age and ability. This includes in online/digital forums.
Media Consent
By participating in a program or event at Esker Foundation you consent to having Recordings taken (images, photographs, videos, audio recordings or other media) of yourself and/or your dependent(s) to be included in Esker Foundation’s Recordings Bank. This is a collection of Recordings intended to showcase the gallery’s activities, primarily for archival and reporting purposes. They may also be used for promotional purposes: on Esker Foundation’s website, social media or marketing materials. Esker Foundation will not use these Recordings for commercial purposes. Participants will be notified when Recordings are being taken, and may always opt out on the day of the program.
Should you require any support, or have any questions, please reach out to: programs - @ - eskerfoundation.com
Lineup
Rose Bouthillier
Shirley Moorhouse
Zadie Xa
Good to know
Highlights
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- In person
Location
Esker Foundation
1011, 9th Ave SE
Calgary, AB T2G 0H7
How do you want to get there?

Agenda
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Gallery Hours
Guests can enter the gallery during our regular weekend hours before the talk at 1pm. We recommend arriving 10-15min early.
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