Jenna Short: Mending Gently

Event Description

Artist Statement

I am continually pulling on a thread of understanding identity and where I belong. I
explore themes of feeling disconnected from place and the effects of the industrialized
society on our natural body. I am an indigenous artist of the Saik,uz First Nation. My art
practice heavily includes plywood, with the materiality acting as colonized and
commercialized pieces of land that are being brought back to the body. In my use of self
portraiture it is not only bringing back the material to the land but my own identity and
body. The body is both emerging from the plywood while being overtaken by it. The land
is giving creation to my body while having my body dissolve into it. It is in that I am
creating a dialogue with materials allowing them to teach me about myself. In the work I
explore a Indigenous identity that is one of feeling a loss of their own culture in
contemporary society. In my work the process of creation and the handling of natural
materials in spaces of community teach me about myself and my ancestors.

Artist Bio

Jenna Short is an artist based In Victoria BC, who is currently studying Visual Arts at the
University of Victoria in her undergrad. Jenna is a Dakelh artist from the Saik,uz First Nation
located In which is now recognized as Vanderhoof BC. She grew up in Prince George BC for the
beginning part of her childhood before relocating to Victoria. Jenna has always felt connected to
the forests and oceans as they become grounding spaces in her life. In times of uncertainty the
land has always provided a safe blanket and place to breathe. It is in that it began to influence
Jenna's art practice. She often works with figurative and landscape subjects through oil painting,
watercolour and wood carvings. Jenna’s solo exhibitions include: Repossession: Little Fernwood
Gallery(2026); Swaying in the Still at The University of Victoria (2026); Untitled at the Habit cafe
(2025). Other group shows: From the Livingroom (2025); Spillways (2025); ArtistTree (2025).