Canadian artist Marlene Creates has used memory mapping in her work since 1986—maps drawn both by her and by others for her. Memory maps are examples of alternative maps, also called participatory maps, counter maps, living maps, deep maps, and even radical maps. Every map tells a story and alternative maps tell alternative stories.

In this presentation, Marlene will show works done in collaboration with Indigenous Inuit and Innu elders in northern Labrador, and her own elderly relatives on the island of Newfoundland. Her most recent work centres the perceptions of about 200 school children who came for multidisciplinary guided walks in the 6-acre patch of old-growth boreal forest where she has been living and working since 2002 on the island of Newfoundland/ Ktaqmkuk.

Following the talk Marlene will facilitate a hands-on workshop: Site + Memory = Place: A Memory Map Drawing Workshop guiding participants in drawing their own thematic, layered memory map of a place that is or has been important to them. All materials for the workshops are included.