Artist-in-Residence 2016 - Kyle Jackson

During his six month residency at the Museum, Kyle worked with visitors on a project entitled "To Those Still At Sea…". By creating a large scale silhouette sculptural painting of the Empress of Ireland, Kyle illuminated the 102nd year anniversary of the lives lost on the greatest maritime disaster in Canadian history.

A man kneels in front of a blank canvas in the shape of a ship.
Artist-in-Residence 2016 Kyle Jackson
A young girl sits cross-legged in front of a collage of artwork.
 
Ship-like canvas with lots of different artworks on it.
 
Close-up of a piece of artwork on a ship-like canvas.
 
A man sits at a table with a group of children and is showing them how to paint.
 
Close-up of a piece of artwork on a ship-like canvas.
 
Finished canvas in the shape of a ship with name Empress of Ireland.
 
The Empress of Ireland canvas seen from the lobby.
 

Watch the video:

Time 0:05:22

Hi, I'm Kyle Jackson, Artist-in-Residence at Canada's Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.

One hundred and two years ago, the Empress of Ireland sank in the St. Lawrence River. At 2:00 a.m., in 6 degree water, 1012 people lost their lives.

To Those Still at Sea is the title of this work, a large collaborative painting that the visitors to the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 can work with me, reflecting upon the disaster of the Empress of Ireland; and all the people who lost their lives. What could have been, what was and what happened.

To Those Still at Sea a collaborative painting and video by Kyle Jackson, Artist-in-Residence at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, 2016. The painting was inspired by the exhibition Empress of Ireland: Canada’s Titanic created by the Canadian Museum of History and presented at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, November 2015 to November 2106.

Music: “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” hymn instrumental performed by Steven Sharp Nelson (“Sacred Cello” 2006) used with permission.

Postcard: “RMS Empress of Ireland” (1914) courtesy of the collection of Chris Klausen.

Picture Map of St. Lawrence: National Library of the Netherlands, 52309.