Olivia Johnston’s award-winning exhibit Saints and Madonnas explored the divinity and holiness that surround us in everyday life at the Ottawa Art Gallery (OAG) from Oct. 11 to Nov. 10.
Johnston’s exhibit connects trauma, chronic illness and holiness through five portraits and two display cases containing trinkets and objects she has collected over the years. Through her artwork, Johnston explores the idea of finding divinity in everyday life.
“What would it look like if we were to see ourselves and one another as sacred, as holy?” Johnston asked.
The name of the exhibit was first conceptualized for her 2019 Saints and Madonnas photography exhibit at the Carleton University Art Gallery. Johnston said that while her work has evolved, the idea that everyone has holiness in them is still relevant to her recent exhibit.
“The works in the frames are more of an exploration into … what does it look like when we try and reflect divinity in the people around us?” Johnston said.
In 2021, Johnston photographed five people from her circle who were connected to the Ottawa art community. Johnston named the portraits, “Saint Jacqueline,” “Saint Adella,” “Saint Marisa,” “Saint Mercedes” and “Saint Kathryn.”
She said taking their pictures was a very intimate and precious experience because they were the first unmasked people she shared a space with following the loosening of COVID-19 restrictions.
“To take somebody’s photo is already kind of a blessed experience,” Johnston said.
Johnston said this new iteration of the project reflects her older work because it demonstrates the evolution of holiness taking place within the mundane world.
“Divinity exists in the everyday, through the everyday person,” Johnston said.
In the new version of her project, Johnston displayed objects from her childhood, such as mirrors, Madonna statues, prescription pill bottles, seashells, jewelry charms, pictures and teeth, in two display cases.
“I’ve been really well-known as a photographer up to now, and I’m kind of moving into a more object-based practice,” she said.
To Johnston, an object-based practice is the combination of finding, making and adapting objects made by nature and people.
She said it’s also about scanning and photographing the objects she’s collected.
“I think I held on to objects as a means to find safety in my world,” she said. “Loss and grief, that was a way of processing.”
OAG attendee Shyonne Nugent said she was first drawn to the people featured in the portraits upon entering the exhibit, and pointed out the beauty in the gold framed portraits.
“It just felt like an ode to women,” she said.
Nugent said she connected with the display cases because their contents reminded her of her grandmother and made her think of home.
Along with her exhibit at the OAG, Johnston is the recipient of the 2024 Project X award, which acknowledges the work of emerging and mid-career photo-based artists. The Ottawa Arts Council, SPAO Photographic Arts Centre, OAG and supporting sponsor DAÏMÔN collaborated on the award, valued at $3,000.
Johnston said while it’s great to receive a financial award, she is especially grateful for the opportunity to share her work to an expanded audience.
OAG chief curator Rebecca Basciano said the gallery is focused on breaking barriers for the community by giving artists the space to display their work.
“Allowing artists who are emerging or maybe mid-career, have the experience to exhibit an art gallery and help launch them and into further things… is something super core,” Basciano said.
Johnston said she is still experimenting and trying new things in the Ottawa arts scene. She said that image-based artists in Ottawa can access new opportunities by showcasing their work in art shows.
“[Ottawa’s] a really exciting place to be for artists because you can do so much here,” Johnston said.
Featured image by Ana Maria Cadena/The Charlatan.
