Press Release 

London, UK                                                                                                                                                                 October, 2016

it’s not about the land                                                                                                                                               Melissa Magnuson

Hoxton Arches                                                                                                                                                                Arch 402 | Cremer Street | London | E2 8HD

Opening night: 6 – 9 pm    3 November, 2016                                                                                               Opening Hours: 10 – 7 pm   4 – 7 November, 2016                                                                                            Artist Talk 3 – 4 pm    5 November, 2016

Timothy, 2016

Melissa Magnuson first solo exhibition to showcase landscape, power and the San Carlos Apache community

Opening on the First Thursday – East London night, it’s not about the land is Melissa Magnuson’s first solo exhibition. This work comprises large format photography, in situ installation that includes remnants of the landscape and video installation to explore the relationship of a Native American community with the land, as well as her own position as an outsider. The London based American born artist presents a facet of her recurring themes which include social identity constructs and complexities within landscape and power. She considers landscape not as an object, but a dynamic process that entrenches power relations and forms social identities.

A critical component of her work method is the collaborative aspect of it; the integration of various players in the dialogue. In this particular context, she is reflecting on traces left behind three generations after the attempted cultural genocide of the Apache tribe by the US Government. The impact of post colonialism is explored through the activism, tribal rituals and day to day existence of people living on the “rez” in San Carlos Arizona.

The work invites the viewer to consider the geopolitical realities of the San Carlos Apache community, while renegotiating the contradictory myths and what might be called history of the people, landscape and politics without a particular agenda. The challenge is to allow the complexity of the material shape a point of view.

For further information about this exhibition, Melissa Magnuson’s work or any other queries, please contact Evlyne Laurin, artist liaison: e.laurin@melissamagnuson.com or +44 790 168 687

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info@melissamagnuson.com | www.melissamagnuson.com

london uk | idaho usa  | british columbia Canada

This image of Dorothy – taken at the Old Adults Center in San Carlos Arizona last February – is from Melissa’s current Series Landscape and Power. It was shortlisted for the YOUMANITY ImAge Photography Award 2016.

Proudly representing a Native American tribe, the San Carlos Apaches from Arizona, these people steadfastly speak the historic Apache language, and tell the stories of their oppression from colonialism.

This body of work is very important in Melissa’s current practice. She will visit this location again in August/September 2016 to conclude the series. Stay connected via Facebook or Instagram for more details and news. If you are interested to participate to the project and are from San Carlos Arizona please email your details to Evlyne – Artist Liaison & Studio Manager at e.laurin@melissamagnuson.com

6 April – 10 April 2016, Dyson Gallery
Dyson Gallery | Royal College of Art
1 Hester Road, London SW11 4AN

Opening Party:
Wednesday 6th April 7-10pm

Exhibition Opening Times:
6th – 8th April : 2-7 pm
9th – 10th April : 12-5 pm

THE CAMPAIGN – a group show is the occasion to help raise funds for the Royal College of Art’s Fine Art Bursary Fund and to discover U can’t miss it – a work by Melissa Magnuson from her new current series Landscape and Power.

THE CAMPAIGN is a photography exhibition by selected students from the School of Fine Art and is presented in collaboration with online galleries Subject Matter and Sedition. The exhibit “is a response to the changing art world. RCA Fine Art students submitted work which addresses contemporary concerns about the artist’s place in a new reality. The exhibition ignites a debate about the space for pure creativity in a world so dominated by the ephemeral.”

RCA Secret 2016 –  London and Dubai – The occasion to snap up original postcard-sized artworks by new and internationally acclaimed artists.

RCA Secret is an exhibition and sale of original postcard-sized artworks by regional and internationally acclaimed artists and designers, plus up-and-coming graduates from the Royal College of Art.

Magnuson produced two postcards; one from the in progress series Garden in the Machine and a second one from the Representations series.

For more information, visit : http://dubai.secret.rca.ac.uk/2016/ or email Evlyne Laurin – Artist Liaison & Studio Manager at e.laurin@melissamagnuson.com

Occupying an edge. (2015) Still from video.

January 2016
Royal College of Art. London UK

First public appearance of Landscape and Power project, followed by work on location in San Carlos, Arizona February 20th – 29th.