The University of Lethbridge Art Gallery has had their “lion’s share” of food themed art exhibitions. But they officially end their series, Thursday, Nov. 3 with literally the Lion’s Share, a new exhibit by Halifax based audio, media installation and performance artist Rita McKeough.
She transformed the gallery into a twisted, cartoonish restaurant complete with eggs on the wall, hotdogs on spikes in the wall commenting on the scene in cartoon thought bubbles. Hotdogs on sticks are even the table legs.
There is a fish tank full of milk in one corner and and a fish tank full of fish on sticks in the other. There is even a crazy chicken in the egg-shell covered kitchen, which cackles and chuckles when anyone comes to close, which will actually collapse in a mountain of egg shells.
“It is a comment on the mass production of food and the bodies of animals and how they live. But there is a lot of humour in it too,” said McKeough, putting the final touches on the exhibit, which will feature animatronic hotdogs on sticks as well as soundtracks.
“The swallows on the wall represent swallowing and the thought balloons on the wall are the eggs commenting on the restaurant. And we took away the politeness of forks and knives and replaced them with spears, which is a lot more serious but still humourous,” she described.
She designed the exhibit around the University of Lethbridge gallery and has been working on the individual pieces since May.
“It’s been a slow process,” she said adding ideas built on each other for the exhibition.
Rita McKeough has exhibited extensively in Canada since 1977 and has presented her work internationally.
She has taught at various art institutions throughout Canada and has been a drummer in various bands. McKeough has maintained a commitment to artist-run centres, community based art and music initiatives. She insists that she has been fortunate to have the support and assistance of her friends and community to produce her work. Born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, McKeough studied printmaking and sculpture at the University of Calgary where she received her BFA. She earned an MFA from NSCAD University in 1979. McKeough teaches at ACAD in Calgary.
The exhibition opens Nov. 3 with the opening reception at 4 p.m. at the University of Lethbridge Art Gallery. It will be running Nov. 3-Jan. 5.