Jay Carrier, “Niagara. It’s Great to be Here.”

Buffalo Arts Studio is proud to announce Niagara. It’s Great to Be Here. an exhibition by renowned Niagara Falls artist Jay Carrier, runs from January 24 to April 5, 2025. The exhibition features paintings, drawings, and assemblages created over Carrier’s 35-year career, offering an intimate exploration of the Niagara River and Gorge as both a personal and communal space. The opening reception will take place on Friday, January 24, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

Carrier’s work delves into the profound dualities of his life as an Indigenous artist navigating the complexities of contemporary urban life in Niagara Falls, juxtaposed with his deep spiritual and physical connection to the surrounding landscape. Through expressive abstractions of water and land, Carrier offers an expansive narrative about the mighty Niagara River a source of sustenance, spirituality, and community for Indigenous peoples, as well as a resource reshaped and exploited under the pressures of late-stage capitalism. 

“The title ‘Niagara. It’s Great to Be Here.’ references a sign I saw in the 1980s on a chemical tank along the Robert Moses Parkway,” said Carrier. “It was ironic given the documented history of pollution in the area that the sign suggested such a warm welcome. This title also reflects my love and life alongside the Niagara River and Gorge.”

Born on Six Nations Reserve to Onondaga and Tuscarora parents, Carrier brings a singular perspective informed by his heritage and education. He holds an MFA from the University of Illinois and has exhibited widely across the U.S. and Canada. His work has been featured at institutions such as the Castellani Art Museum, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center.

For more information about Buffalo Arts Studio, please visit www.buffaloartsstudio.org