“We Come From Great Wealth”

This undergraduate student exhibit follows the life story, art, and legacy of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw artist Ḵaḵaso’las-Ellen Neel (née Newman). Ḵaḵaso’las-Ellen Neel was an innovative force in the Indigenous art scene who continues to influence Indigenous artists. She was part of a lineage of artists and leaders, which she passed on to her children and grandchildren. As a political leader, advocate, and knowledge-keeper, she left an impact on the world and the city of Vancouver, which can still be seen today. Key to the exhibit is Ḵaḵaso’las, the Stanley Park totem pole, which came to MOA in September of last year.

This exhibit was curated by UBC students of ANTH 431: Museum Practice and Curatorship, who are honored and grateful to be working with the Neel family to do justice to the life of Ḵaḵaso’las-Ellen Neel.

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Photo credit: Ellen Neel in studio in circa 1958

“RetroPerspectives: Learning and Teaching at MOA Through Time”

This student exhibition features the vibrant history of MOA, which offered the first accredited museum training course in Canada. The exhibition explores the legacy of education at MOA and the numerous student exhibits that have been developed over the decades since 1968.

This exhibition is located in the Textile Research Room in MOA’s Multiversity Galleries. It was curated by UBC students of ANTH 431: Museum Practice and Curatorship.

Photo credit: Student exhibit at MOA, 1980. Photo courtesy of ANTH 431 class.