For multidisciplinary artist Soleil Launière, drawing on different artforms is in keeping with her First Nations heritage.
“I feel most First Nations artists are multidisciplinary and have been forever” said Launière, this year’s Mellon ISCEI (Indigenous Studies and Community Engagement Initiative) artist-in-residence.
“A lot of people will bead, sing, do theatre, make portraits and do photography; I personally think it’s very cultural to practise many forms of art.”
Launière, from the Ilnu community of Mashteuiatsh on Lake Saint-Jean, said she first fell in love with singing, went on to study theatre and dance, and has expanded into installation art, performance art, and more.
At McGill, she will share her knowledge and expertise through several on-campus events during her residency.
“I didn’t know much about McGill, but I knew people there were really engaged with the Indigenous community, so I was curious to engage and get to know McGill and its Indigenous programs. I was honoured to be approached,” she said.
Following her heart
Although Launière considers performance art to be her principal artistic medium, she has enjoyed tremendous success across multiple disciplines.
She has released a music album, Taueu; her first book, Akuteu, was a finalist for a Governor General’s Literary Award; she serves as an associate artist and professor at the National Theatre School of Canada, and is also founder and artistic director of her own production company, Productions AUEN.
“My main goal is to keep following my heart and following my instinct. It’s so hard to do sometimes, but that’s the thing that’s worked best for me.”
She urged others who are pursuing the arts “not to compromise what you want in order to please other people.”
A performance on campus
As part of her residency, Launière will perform a piece on the downtown lower campus using the medium of water. The water symbolizes many things: the tears of the Earth, the depths of the seas, healing and regeneration, and the womb.
“I think performance art encompasses all forms of art, and it’s close to First Nations rituals. It’s a good bridge – it can be political, it can be more personal, it can go many ways.”
The public is invited to attend her performance on Thursday September 12, as well as an event at the Faculty Club to discuss the performance and her art. Launière will also attend a lunch with Indigenous students at First Peoples’ House.
“Hopefully I get to keep doing what I’m doing for a long, long time, and people keep appreciating it.
For event details, please visit the ISCEI website.