Converse Subversives

Calgary artist Shona Rae uses narrative, figurative sculptures to engage traditional myths, fairy tales, folklore, ancient artifacts and personal history.

In her exhibition, Converse Subversives, Calgary artist Shona Rae (BFA ‘00, Jewellery and Metals) uses narrative, figurative sculptures to engage traditional myths, fairy tales, folklore, ancient artifacts and personal history. 

Rae strives to shift perspectives by exploring how societies old and new deal with social inequalities, gender identification, ageism, rape, plague and political upheavals. By juxtaposing the known, the unknown, the precious and the mundane to probe the human psyche for memories, dreams and personal tales, she seeks a synergy that blurs the boundaries between jewellery and sculpture, metal and textiles, art and fine craft.      

Converse, verb: engage in conversation. Converse, adjective: having characteristics which are the reverse or the opposite of something else. 

Subversive, verb: undermine the power and authority of (an established system or institution).

The Red Shoes (detail) (2022) by Shona Rae