Ache: an artistic and relational cross-pollinator that explores age and aging through an intersectional lens.
Growing older in a youth-oriented culture can produce a kind of temporal dysphoria – discordance between interior and exterior landscapes, between self-perception, lived experience, and perceived value. This temporal dysphoria is the generative ground for Ache – an artistic and relational cross-pollinator that explores age and aging through an intersectional lens.
In 2020, Ache began a research phase which saw the formation of the Ache Artists Affinity - a group of artists ranging in ages from 50 to 75. During this year-long research and relationship-building period, the Ache Artists Affinity developed a conceptual framework for this process-based project, teased from collective and individual gestures, writings, fragments, and collected audio and images in pursuit of new artistic explorations or iterative re-imaginings.
Three years later, the Ache Artists Affinity has grown by a few members and continues to meet regularly. Ache artists include: Norma Araiza, Kathy Blomquist, Anna Camilleri, Roberta Della-Picca, Trisha Lamie, Zena Lord, Junia Mason, Coman Poon, and Tristan R. Whiston.
This project is made possible through the financial support of Employment and Social Development Canada as part of the New Horizons Seniors Program and Canada Council for the Arts.