Chiguer art contemporain is delighted to present a solo exhibition by Jobena Petonoquot, My Souvenir Ceremony, in its small exhibition room in Montreal. The exhibition brings together photographic works documenting a performance in which the artist, dressed from head to toe as a doll, walks through souvenir shops in Old Montreal, churches, and the city’s metro.
Alongside her two-dimensional works, the artist presents dolls made from beads, cotton, and found objects, layered with moccasins and reproductions of photographic frames created by the artist. Embroidered by hand these frames are imbued with numerous references and motifs that evoke the funerals of the dolls depicted throughout the series.
“Jobena Petonoquot’s engagement with souvenir dolls stems from a formative childhood experience: at four years old, she was photographed as a “living doll” for a government poster in the 1980s. Souvenir dolls, often accepted as authentic, are problematic objects that misrepresent Indigenous peoples and shape public perception. While their stereotypes are harmful, they also evoke pity for their distorted humanity. Like other Indigenous women artists who have reworked doll imagery, Jobena seeks to reclaim their narrative power. In this exhibition, the artist prepares dolls for burial, blessing and transforming them as a corrective act. Drawing on personal history, Algonquin knowledge, and material symbolism, Jobena uses ceremony as an intervention—one that confronts colonial legacies, restores balance, and gently declares an end to these toxic representations.” – Lori Beavis, centre Daphne
Jobena Petonoquot o-dodamitàwin màmawe mikawenindjigan-odaminowàganag onzikà apìch kà oshkinìgidj: apìch kà newo-pibònezidj, kì mazinàzigoze mayà-godj Odaminowàgan Pemàdizidj ondje ogimà-anòdàgan mazinàzowin pejig mìn, shàngaso-mitàsomidana, nishwàsomidana pebòniwang. Mònjag odàpinigàden wendjida Mikawenindjigani-odaminowàganag, nishiwanàdenindagwadon eji madji-nàbishkawàwàn Anishinàbeg ashidj pemàdizidjig kada wàbandanàwà eji wàbandamowàdj. Mewehi pejigo-inenindamowinan madji-dodamigadon, pamikindjiyàwog kidimàgeningewin ondje anòdj-ijinàgod pimàdizidjig o-pimàdiziwinawà. Mayà-godj kodag Anishinàbekweg ojitowàdj o-kìjenindjigewinan kà àndj-odamitàwàdj odaminowàgan-mazinàzowinan, Jobena nandawàbandàn kidji àndji-tibenindamòkìn odàdisokàniwàn mashkawizìwiniwà. Ondaje wàbandahidiwinogamigong, kà-kìjenindjigedj eshòwisidjigedj odaminowàganag ondje ningwàkìwin, ayamitawàdjin ashidj àndjìyàdjin wewenind inàkonigedj. Mazinibìhigedj o-dànikeyàdjimowin, Anishinàbe-kikenindjigewin, ashidj kikinawàdjichiganan, Jobena odàbidjiton inàkonigewin kidji pamìkan, pejig kà-àbimìtang ogimà-anòdàgan inàkonigewin, kidji nàsàb tibàbàdjigewin, ashidj ikido nòkàdizidj kidji wayekwàsing madji-wàbandahiwewinan.
