| This work examines the ways in which economic and political relationships are carried out in Canada between artists, the public and private sectors, and the general public. I view these relationships as hegemonic, carrying with them the structure and style of an internal colonial relationship. Themes of identity, colonialism and power are examined with a focus on symbolic and Neo-Marxist theory. Therein, I explore ways in which artists are stripped of power and alternately find ways to regain it, and the interplay between the artist as an agent of autonomous power and the artist as subject of colonial structures. Issues of exoticism, small-scale politics, stereotyping, and othering are also explored, within this, I ask in what manner artistic lives are appropriated, demonized, idolized and exploited by those outside the arts for personal or public gain. Additionally, I examine how relations play out within the community in terms of small scale politics, infighting, abuse of symbolic power and how each of these elements are viewed in terms of an economic trickle down effect. In essence, this study aims to look into how the Canadian government and the public and private sectors create stratums of power in the life of the artist and how the artist utilizes the concept of identity both as a weapon and a method of resistance. |
