Rita McKeough - Wave Over Wave

Installation by artist Rita McKeough, Queen's University's 2024 VPR Artist-in-Residence.

Visual Art
The Art and Media Lab
VPR Artist-in-Residence
Image of artist Rita McKeough's installation.

As Queen’s University VPR Artist-in-Residence, Rita McKeough presents this restored version of her artwork Wave over Wave, first created in 2000. This installation was originally developed for a specific site on the harbour in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It serves as a memorial for her father, Frank McKeough, who had been a fisherman. The artwork explores themes of grief and loss within social histories of coastal communities, serving as a memorial to those who have lost their lives working on the ocean and migrating by sea.

The installation consists of twenty-four motorized drumsticks that play a rhythmic accompaniment to a video projection and audio recordings of three vocalists: Janice Jackson, Melodie Leach, and Alyssa Robichaud. The artwork was nominated for the inaugural Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award in 2006.

This presentation is the result of conservation efforts supported by the Vulnerable Media Lab, with technical development and production by Peter Flemming. It is made possible through the VPR Visiting Artist-in-Residence Fund, the Postdoc Initiative Fund and the Agnes Etherington Art Centre.

Artist Talk and Closing Reception • November 13, 5pm

Art + Media Lab Opening Hours: Nov 11–14 • 10–16:00

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