Belly of the Bull by Clinton Minault
Clinton Minault
Belly of the Bull
Site #1
Churchill Square
11:00am-9:30pm
Belly of the Bull is a life-size sculpture of a Woods Buffalo created out of recycled shopping bags and wood. A bench inside the sculpture provides the audience with a place to sit and gain insight from one of the great beasts that once roamed these lands. Belly of the Bull offers the community an experience of historical Indigenous storytelling and the opportunity to engage by not only seeing from inside of the artwork, but by sitting and being inside of it.
ACTIVATION & WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
8 hours of Live Exhibit Production between 10am-10pm on the days of Saturday June 21, 2025, Sunday June 22, 2025, and Monday June 23, 2025
ARTIST STATEMENT
“Meditation is an important part of balance in Medicine Wheel teachings.”
Belly of the Bull is a safe space for two friends to connect with each other while disconnecting from the loud stresses of our environments. This sculpture is a life-size replica of a Plains Buffalo, paskwâwimostos ᐸᐢᑳᐧᐃᐧᒧᐢᑐᐢ, created out wood and recycled materials. There is a familiar awkwardness about the size; an Indigeneity within a settler dominated society. Built inside of the body of the buffalo is a bench where two friends can sit and meditate together. This work prioritizes accessibility in art to reach communities that are in need of motivation, inspiration, or a place to sit.
Meditation is an important part of balance in Medicine Wheel teachings. The Medicine Wheel pedagogy reveals meditation as a mental health tool for finding balance. The sacred Great Plains Buffalo represents the resiliency of the Indigenous communities that have survived throughout their decline, while the materiality is a reminder of our responsibility as stewards of the land. My intention is to inspire people to utilize the wealth of materials around that are waiting to be transformed into their own visions and joyful creations.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Clinton Minault is a two-spirit Beaver Cree, Metis artist and student residing on unceded Treaty 6 Territory, in amiskwaciy waskahikan ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ, also known as Edmonton. Being of mixed ancestry, Clinton is also a descendant of settlers and recognizes their privileges.
Being born and raised in northern Alberta inspired their interest in nature, while later introductions to metropolitan centers influenced their passion for design. Learning about traditional Indigenous Arts inspires much of their artworks. By using simple natural elements of life in a surreal context, they intend for a therapeutic release during production and audience viewing.
Clinton’s research, interests and perspectives have been shaped by a search for family history, which has translated into educational artworks. By using predominantly recycled materials, Clinton reimagines traditional arts in innovative ways, striving to develop accessible, educational public art that narrates the importance of our displaced wild animal populations through storytelling.