Aunties’ Work: The Power of Care, created by curator Nadia Bunyan, is a heartfelt tribute to the support systems created by the matriarchs of Montreal’s Black communities. The exhibition focusses on the cultural context surrounding the women known as ‘Aunties.’ The cornerstone of an entire community, these women have worked for generations to fortify movements of social change, nurture and sustain safe spaces, pass on critical knowledge, and share their lived experiences.Learn about the vital role Aunties play in their communities through shared personal reflections and dozens of photographs and objects representative of these women loaned by community members.

Guest curator: Nadia Bunyan

Nadia Bunyan is a fashion designer, researcher, and community organizer. She believes we must begin with education and care to see change in the fashion industry and beyond. These core values led her to cofound Growing A.R.C. a nonprofit using the prism of material culture and its fashion systems, to explore activities grounded in the farm-to-closet process.Beginning with agriculture for textiles and natural dyes, Growing A.R.C. creates activities such as playdates for people to activate, reciprocate and cultivate their relationships with all beings. The organization reinforces connections to the local environment by focusing on material culture and bioregional design. It also expands the understanding of biodiversity to include the diversity and perspectives of marginalized folks.Nadia believes to raise awareness about a relational approach to sustainability knowledge and lived experiences must be shared. This is one facet of changing conversations on sustainability to a cultural practice.
“This project has been gifted with so many beautiful moments and stories from the community that I get to be part of. To those I had the fortune to connect with for Aunties’ Work, thank you for your generosity. This exhibition was made possible thanks to the contributions you shared, and I will carry these stories and moments with me forever.”– Nadia Bunyan

Source: McCord Stewart Museum