TAP Centre for Creativity presents, Mohawk Warriors, Hunters & Chiefs, a solo exhibition of the artwork of Tom Wilson tehohåhake (two roads). Tom is a musician, writer and visual artist based in Hamilton, Ontario.

 

Musically he is known for his work with the bands Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Junkhouse and Lee Harvey Osmond, the latter receiving a 2020 Juno Award for the album Mohawk.

 

Wilson’s memoir, Beautiful Scars: Steeltown Secrets, Mohawk Skywalkers and the Road Home, in which he reveals the impact of discovering his Indigenous heritage at the age of 53, became a national bestseller. He was appointed as a Companion of the Order of Canada in June 2023 for, “his multifaceted contributions to the arts in Canada, notably as an iconic musician, as well as for his advocacy of Indigenous communities in Canada.”

 

Decades ago he began dedicating more of his time and energy to his second passion, painting. Painting has become a way for him to connect with his Mohawk identity and convey his feelings on the injustices experienced by Indigenous peoples. The exhibit includes Fading Memories of Home, an installation piece by Tom located in TAP’s LAB203 Gallery. The idea for the installation with accompanying video and sound recording was seeded during a family dinner with Jane Lazare, Tom’s biological mother. She recalled a traumatic experience from residential school when the grade five teacher had asked the room of Indigenous students to look at those around them, and then told the class these would be the last Indians they would ever know.

 

The Opening Reception was held on Thursday November 14, 7:00-10:00 PM.

On November 15th Tom captured audiances in the main gallery for an acapella performance and reading from his memoir Beautiful Scars: Steeltown Secrets, Mohawk Skywalkers and the Road Home. In his memoir, published in 2017 by Penguin/Random House, Tom reveals the impact of discovering his Indigenous heritage in his 50s. This was a great opportunity to connect with the artist, witness his power as a  storyteller, and view the work in the gallery.

Tom will be joining us again on December 3rd for a screening of Beautiful Scars, a Canadian documentary film directed by Shane Belcourt Starring musician Tom Wilson and based on his 2017 memoir of the same name. After the screening Tom and Shane will be in conversation with Josh Lambier, artistic director of WORDS. Details and registration HERE.
 

 

For more about the artist and his projects visit https://tomwilsononline.com/