No/mad utopia has recently announced Eat of Me While I Sleep, a provocative new exhibition showcasing Johanne Allard’s multimedia installations, enhanced by Jad Atoui’s auditory expertise in sound design and amplification. The exhibition is scheduled to launch on Tuesday, November 7, and will run until December 9, with an opening preview set for the evening of November 7, from 6 PM until 9 PM. This happening is made possible with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
At the heart of Eat of Me While I Sleep, mosquito nets and scaffolding, ominously adorned with nail clusters, form a chilling backdrop for a haunting soundscape. This installation delves into the dark theme of predatory politics, unraveling the relentless cycles of exploitation within and among societies and nations. This solo exhibition celebrates the remarkable work of Johanne Allard, a Canadian multi-disciplinary artist who has made Lebanon her home. Graduating in 1999 with a BA in Theater and Visual Arts from the University of Quebec in Montreal, the artist honed her craft under the guidance of Arto Tchakmakchian, a sculptor of international acclaim. Her subsequent relocation to Beirut in 2000 saw her engaging in teaching and directing within the realms of art and theater.
Allard’s artistic journey took a pivotal turn in 2007 when she immersed herself in the Theater of the Oppressed Lab in New York, studying under its late founder, Augusto Boal. Her experience there translated into impactful workshops for educators and leaders back in Beirut.
Since 2011, the artist’s creative expression has been channeled into embroidered sculptures that vividly depict the upheaval in the Levant and Arab regions. Embroidering war mechanics and elements from nature onto sculpted insects, her pieces engage in a poignant dialogue with traditional embroidery, becoming deeply symbolic. Allard’s oeuvre confronts viewers with the stark and intimate dimensions of tragedy, revealing the profound impact of such events on individuals and societies. Her commitment to this narrative was further recognized in 2021 when she received a prestigious year-long grant from The Canada Council for the Arts to develop Eat of Me While I Sleep, a multimedia exploration of collective trauma.