Ron Benner and Jeff Thomas
Corn = Life: The Power of NamingCurated by Yuluo Wei June 23 – October 26, 2024 Public Opening Reception: Sunday, June 23, 2024, 2 – 4pm Location: 248 Steelcase Rd. E, Markham (Free onsite parking) Industrial Arts Sculpture Garden 2024 presents a unique fusion of two artists’ visions that interweaves living native plants with evocative historical imagery. Curated by Yuluo Wei and presented by Steelcase Art Projects, this artwork is a tribute to Indigenous peoples’ agricultural and cultural heritage. At its heart lies a striking white-purple trellis, an homage to the 1613 Two Row Treaty–a foundational agreement between Dutch settlers and Thomas’ Haudenosaunee ancestors. Benner plants a rich tapestry of culturally significant native American plants and corn, including varieties Peruvian Purple Maize, Mandan Bride, Assiniboian Flint, and Iroquoian Rainbow, which grow to embrace the structure. These are accompanied by tomatoes, chilli peppers, marigolds, sunflowers and many others, creating a rich flora that honours its Indigenous origins. Jeff Thomas’ photographs connect deeply with Ron Benner’s garden and serve as personal and collective contemplation on the environmental and societal ramifications of broken promises. The Two Row Treaty symbolizes mutual recognition and autonomy. Reflecting this spirit, both artists contribute to the garden with a sense of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. Throughout the summer, the garden has blossomed into an abundance of flowers and edible plants. Join us for an unforgettable community gathering at Ron Benner and Jeff Thomas’ renowned photographic and garden installation. Benner will host a lively Corn Roast, offering delicious roasted corn on the cob, generously topped with butter, salt, Mexican chili powder, and a splash of fresh lime juice. This uniqueevent blends elements of sculpture, installation, and performance art. Attendees will experience Benner’s iconic roving corn-roasting wagon, Maiz Barbacoa. Corn Roast Monday, September 30, 2024, 11am – 1pm The event is free and all are welcome
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January 18, 2021: Walker Cultural Leaders Series features artists Jamelie Hassan & Ron Benner1/17/2021 Brock University's Department of Visual Arts presents the Walker Cultural Leader Series, which continues in 2021. The WCL series begins with an engaging talk from artists Jamelie Hassan and Ron Benner on Monday, Jan. 18. The series continues in a virtual format for the 2021 season. Monday, Jan. 18, 2021 at 7 p.m. View the presentation premiere and join in the chat on the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts YouTube channel.
 Ron Benner will be part of the City Symposium: Responsible Consumption and Production on Monday, November 16, 2020. The panel will explore the toll that humans are taking on the environment and the consequence of production and consumption. The event is inspired by the Sustainable Development Goal #15, which raises the question what does responsible consumption and production look like in London, Ontario? Please register here. The event starts at 6:40 pm on November 16, 2020.
 Digital print of photographic/garden installation, framed including dried plant material (maize) Dimensions 18 h x 44 w x 1.5 d inch (46 h x 112 w x 4 d cm) Edition 1/1 Ron Benner donated a digital print of photographic/garden installation, to the online charity art auction To:Beirut. The piece is now up for auction. Please share with your networks. You can also share directly from the To:Beirut Instagram account.
Cuiltlacoche: Your disease our delicacy, was originally a photographic/garden installation commissioned for Hart House, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario by Barbara Fischer and the project was curated by Su-Ying Lee in 2012. The garden consisted of images of cuilacoche, (corn smut), text and Native American plants including maize, tomato, marigold, morning glory...
On August 20, 2020, legendary Juno award-winning performer Lorraine Klaasen visits Ron Benner’s photographic/garden installation As the Crow Flies, and Black Lives Matter exhibit at Museum London.
Daughter of legendary South African Jazz singer Thandie Klaasen, Lorraine Klaasen is one of the few South African artists preserving the classic sound of Township Music—the most distinctive genre to come out of South Africa. Born and raised in Soweto, now based in London, Ontario, Lorraine has electrified audiences worldwide with her dynamic stage presence and showmanship. As a promoter of the performing arts for Canadian youth, Klaasen has lent her support to various groups and organizations such as RapSohD Talented Teens Canada. see Lorraine's recent virtual living room performance here. Photo Credits: Jamelie Hassan For the first time in the 15 year history of Ron Benner's photographic/garden installation As the Crow Flies, huitlacoche was found growing on the top of one of the Purple Peruvian corn plants. Huitlacoche (or corn smut) is considered a delicacy in Mexico. It is fried in oil along with onions and chilies and served in a tortilla. It is very delicious.
Photo Credit: Dr. Sidney Siu Flashback to last summer of a video of London artist Ron Benner at his garden installation As the Crow Flies at Museum London for his annual corn roast in August 2019. Part sculpture, part installation, and part performance, this event features Benner’s roving corn-roasting wagon Maiz Barbacoa. \
Musician Frank Ridsdale music is in the background with resolute songs covering a wide geographical range from the Port Stanley harbour to Latin American revolutionary songs. visit www.ronbenner.ca for more about Ron's work. Due to health measures in response to the CoVid 19 pandemic, this year's corn roast has unfortunately been cancelled.
Museum London projects series of Thomas King's poems throughout July overlooking As the Crow Flies7/15/2020
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Ron Benner (born 1949) is an internationally recognized Canadian artist whose longstanding practice investigates the history and political economics of food cultures. He is also a gardener and writer who currently lives and works in London, Ontario, Canada.
London, Ontario is on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Lenape, Attawandaron and Huron-Wendat peoples, at the forks of Deshkan Ziibi (Antler River), an area subject to the Dish with One Spoon Wampum and other treaties. |
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