My Garden's Funeral
Performance by Rocio Graham, followed by a celebration with Mexican food.
Performance: 3:30 PM
Mexican Food Celebration: 4:00-5:00 PM

ANNOUNCEMENT

It's with great sadness that Contemporary Calgary announces the sudden passing of Rocio Graham’s garden on September 28, 2019, at 7:28 AM.

Rocio's garden was born February 18, 2019, under indoor growing lamps Rocio’s basement. It was lovingly tendered by Rocio’s mother, husband and two children once moved outside April and May.

Although each year Rocio suffers this loss like many other Calgarians, it is never easy to say goodbye to a place that gives so much during the year.  Rocio’s family garden has been the space where her children have played with neighbour friends, provided food for community alfresco dinners, provided shelter for summer naps and became a food source for the local bees and rabbits.

This garden may be an urban plot but its mighty generosity has provided material for Rocio’s art practice and this year particularly it provided a source of materials the Women Centre of Calgary with whom Rocio worked collaboratively to create a botanical installation during Beakerhead.

Rocio’s garden was the source of the installation Comet Garden a botanical installation at Contemporary Calgary that travelled this summer to many corners of Calgary and outside of Alberta.

The Comet Garden travelled to far corners of BC, Ontario and Washington estate due to the engagement of visitors of Contemporary Calgary this summer.

A funeral service ( performance) will take place on November 10th at 3:30 PM at the Grotto of Contemporary Calgary. In a customary Mexican way, a festive celebration with Mexican foods will take place after the performance to honour the passing of this special garden.

Please note that the traditional Mexican food served as part of this performance/event will be prepared by the artist in a non-professional kitchen at an off-site premise. Gluten friendly and vegetarian options will be available.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Rocio Graham calls Calgary home. She emigrated to Canada from Mexico in 2002. She studied art at Emily Carr University and at the Alberta University of the Arts where she obtained a Bachelor of Design in Photography in 2017. Her work is at the intersections of art and science. Her art practice is influenced by her cultural heritage, experiences as a woman and trauma survivor, interest in life cycles, and knowledge of botany. She explores the landscape from a body engagement perspective, where labour, mysticism, science, and temporality merge. As a student, Rocio was selected as a finalist in the Womankind photographers award in Australia. Since graduation, she has been nominated for the BMO 1st Art Invitational Competition and has received various scholarships and grants. Rocio co-founded Blind Spot, a yearly photo-based art exhibition during the Exposure Festival. She is currently a peer residency coordinator for the AUArts Hear/d art residency, a visual arts instructor for the YMCA, and a director on the Elephant Artist Relief Society board of directors. She strives to build community and support networks for artists; a commitment that is exemplified by the garden studio that she created at the Women’s Centre of Calgary. Rocio is also represented by Christine Klassen Gallery.