Jordan Bennett is L’nu (Mi’kmaq), originally from Stephenville Crossing, Newfoundland (Ktaqmkuk). He currently lives and works in Kjipuktuk (Halifax, Nova Scotia).
As his methodology is deeply guided by the land of his ancestors, his work possesses elements familiar to a wide range of audiences, cultures and generations. His work, while not always directly challenging colonial perceptions of aboriginal history and presence, lends itself to discussions of contemporary indigenous realities within urban and rural communities. He uses sculpture, painting, video, immersive installations and sound to explore the land, language, the act of visiting and his family history.
Bennett currently holds the position of Associate Professor, Expanded Media, at NSCAD University. He received a BFA from Memorial University (Grenfell Campus) in 2008 and an MFA from the University of British Columbia at Okangan in 2016.
Since 2008, he has exhibited extensively nationally and internationally, in over 100 group and solo exhibitions, and has created numerous public art commissions across Canada. Jordan continues to explore, collaborate, share and mentor in his practice, as these elements have become the pillars of his artistic and community work.
Bennett has received several awards and honors, including a shortlist for the 2018 Sobey Art Award, a longlist for the 2020 Sobey Art Award, the 2020 recipient of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia Masterworks Arts Award for his 100-foot installation “Tepkik”.
He represented Newfoundland and Labrador at the 2015 Venice Biennale collateral events and was named Artist of the Year 2014 by the Newfoundland and Labrador Art’s Council.