April 18-19, 2025 - Finissage and discussion for the exhibition "Gathered Reverence"
With artists Natalie King & Snack Witch Joni Cheung and curator Rihab Essayh
Finissage: April 18 2025, 5–8 pm
Discussion: April 19 2025, 2–4 pm
Place: La Centrale, 4296 Saint-Laurent Boul.
Free entry, no registration required
Join Natalie King and Snack Witch Joni Cheung during the finissage of the exhibition “Gathered Reverence” next Friday April 18, from 5-8 pm. On the menu, springrolls, tea and sweets! For those of you who would like to enjoy the exhibition one last time in a more relaxed context, a discussion in English will take place with the artists and curator & programming co-director Rihab Essayh, on Saturday April 19, 2-4 pm.
Gathered Reverence brings together the practices of Snack Witch Joni Cheung and Natalie King to reflect on the complexities of hospitality, reverence, and cultural identity. Through an interdisciplinary exploration of objects and place, both artists challenge traditional notions of home and belonging, offering nuanced insights into how cultural reverence can be a source of comfort and resistance.
Natalie King’s work celebrates her community—both her family and her queer family. In vibrant paintings, she weaves together historical and contemporary threads, bridging colonial legacies and future possibilities. King emphasizes representation, portraying Indigenous and queer identities with unapologetic joy. Her art, a love letter to those she cherishes, counters damaging narratives often associated with Indigenous communities, reflecting a deep reverence for her heritage.
Conversely, Joni Cheung explores her Chinese identity through food and restaurant culture. Her residencies across Canada reveal local Chinese cuisines and their connections within communities. Her ongoing project, Soba’s Corner, disguises itself as a cooking show while unveiling deeper cultural narratives, inviting audiences to confront the histories intertwined with culinary traditions.
Together, Cheung and King create a shared space for reflection and dialogue, weaving memories and contemporary experiences into a celebration of healing and understanding.