Sentience
From the series “In-Between Worlds”

The series “In-Between Worlds” expresses Meryl McMaster’s mixed cultural heritage of Red Pheasant and Siksika First Nations along with British and Dutch ancestors. Moments of solitude in remote landscapes inspired her to explore her blended histories, reconnecting with the land and her Indigenous ancestry. The dream-like nature of these photographs is the result of her incorporation of sculptural elements. She creates scenes that deliver transformational experiences for herself and for the viewer. In Sentience, she becomes an integral part of nature – taking possession of a tree as twigs extend from her fingertips and wild bird feathers cover her arms. Through these performances and acts of reconciliation in front of the camera, McMaster informs us and questions us about our country’s narratives and our own histories and identities.