Parallax(e): Perspectives on the Canada-US Border serves as both a historical exploration and a modern reflection on the creation of the boundary along the 49th parallel. The exhibition derives its name from the scientific concept of "parallax," which describes how an object's position seems to shift when viewed from different angles.
This innovative showcase combines historical photographs, maps, and watercolors crafted by British and American surveyors, engineers, and artists involved in the Northwest Boundary Survey (1857-62) with contemporary works created by five Indigenous artists from both sides of the border.
Featuring rare landscape drawings and photographic documentation from collections across Canada, the US, and the UK--including the Rare Books and Special Collections at The University of British Columbia, the US National Archives, and the Victoria and Albert Museum--the exhibition vividly illustrates the impact of the border on Indigenous territories. Collectively, these works challenge the perception of a geopolitical reality.
However, Parallax(e) does not merely replicate a colonial viewpoint; it critically examines the border as a tool of colonial disruption and governance. The exhibition highlights the essential contributions of Indigenous guides, laborers, and cartographers, such as Thiusoloc and his father, whose deep knowledge of the land was crucial to the survey yet often overlooked in official accounts. Through collaboration with five Indigenous curators, the exhibition emphasizes that "the border crossed us," showcasing how the boundary has disrupted established Indigenous networks of kinship, ecological management, cultural practices, and trade.
New commissions by artists including Dr. Shawn Brigman (Spokane Tribe of Indians), Dr. Michelle Jack úsn̓mt̓k̓ (sqilx̓/syilx), Deb Silver (Coast Salish, Sumas First Nation), X́emóntalot Carrielynn Victor (Stahlo Coast Salish, mixed European), and Dr. T'uy't'atanat Cease Wyss (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh/Stó:lō/Hawaiian/Swiss) respond to this historical legacy with themes of resilience and sovereignty. Their works explore the revival of canoe culture, transboundary identities, and acts of remembrance rooted in place and language.
By showcasing diverse perspectives across time, mediums, and worldviews, the exhibition invites viewers to rethink the concept of borders, the interests they serve, and their significance for those affected.
Supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, Canadian Heritage, and the Terra Foundation for American Art, Parallax(e) is currently on display at The Reach Gallery Museum in Abbotsford, British Columbia, until May 30.