Uninvited Local

The economy of Nova Scotia that had once been based on fishing and forestry had transformed, at a certain point, into a postcard economy that peddled images and representations of the good ol’ days that never existed. This body of work aimed to intervene on this narrative.

1. Dressed as a lumberjack, the artist fits right in with the beavers, mounties and other national/regional icons strolling around on Canada Day. Parents send their kids over to have their pictures taken with another commodified trope, and then realize this guy (carrying a chainsaw) might not be just another character hired to satisfy their amusement.

2. Dressed as a lobster, the artist hops on the tables in busy restaurants, dances, and sings folk songs for the tourists. Usually this was well received until it became clear that he wasn’t supposed to be there.