Confederation Centre of the Arts presents performance art with Island poet in collaboration with Ontario-based art group

by Nash Alonto 

Feb. 9, 2024 

Tanya Davis is the Poet Laureate of Prince Edward Island. She recently debuted her newest poem, Perspective Shifts, at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery on Thurs., Feb. 8, 2024. This is in collaboration with Ontario-based art group, Common Collective, who also have an exhibition at the same venue. (photo by Nash Alonto)

In front of a crowd of 10, Tanya Davis recited her new poem, Perspective Shifts, inside an old grain bin. 

The 15-foot structure was dark and dimly lit, with spots of lights on the floor and a giant spotlight on the roof. 

As Davis recites her poem, different images appear on the roof, such as close-ups of frogs, as well as overhead views of swamps, corn fields, and green grass of the countryside. Music played in the background. 

“I like performing. This is an interesting place to perform,” Davis said. 

This was Davis’s first reciting of a poem from the inside of the peculiar structure. 

“I’ve never done a poem inside of a grain bin before, she said. 

“It’s like a nice change, a nice treat, and (it) felt really fun and intimate, and very cool.”  

Davis is the Poet Laureate of Prince Edward Island. She recited Perspective Shifts as part of a performance art exhibition event called Poetry from the Grain Bin at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery on Thurs., Feb. 8. 2023. About 30 people attended the event. 

40 Tonne Viewfinder, the structural art piece where Tanya Davis recited her poem, Perspective Shifts, in collaboration with Ontario-based art group, Common Collective. (photo by Nash Alonto)

It is also a first-time collaboration with the Ontario-based art group Common Collective, which have an exhibit, called 40 Tonne Viewfinder, at the art gallery since Oct. 21, 2023.  

Simon Brothers, a member of the group, said they pitch the collaboration to the Confederation Centre of the Arts because of another member who was an acquaintance of Davis. 

“We listened to her work, and a lot (of) the same issues she finds really important are part of the show,” Brothers said. 

Tanya Davis (centre) reciting her poem Perspective Shifts inside the art piece known as “40 Tonne Viewfinder” at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery on Thurs., Feb. 8, 2024. (photo by Nash Alonto)

Davis did an amazing job during her recital, Brothers said. 

“We love working with other artists. I like to surround myself with people that are better at doing certain things than I am,” he said. 

“This specific collaboration with Tanya…is perfect.” 

Jan Rudd, a retired theatre teacher from Charlottetown, thought the performance was inspiring. 

“(Tanya)’s helping us reflect. The land needs to rest, the land needs our love, and we just have to be careful,” Rudd said. 

“We grow so big, and we don’t what we’re doing often,” she said. 

It is important that people need to be careful when growing the land, Rudd said. 

“Especially here on P.E.I., it’s so important, so I’m just grateful for all the reminders,” she said. 

Davis is working on writing new poems in the process of creating a longer show, which she hopes will premiere later in the year. 

Meanwhile, 40 Tonne Viewfinder remains in exhibit at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery until Feb. 24.