Interview with a Curator

Tomas Jonsson: Curator of Performance and Moving Images at the Dunlop Art Gallery

Interviewed by Amber Christensen

Tomas Jonsson recently became the Curator of Performance and Moving Images at the Dunlop Art Gallery and the Regina Public Library Film Theatre. As he steps into his new role programming the RPL Film Theatre, he follows in the steps of past curators Cindy Baker and Blair Fornwald, and past RPL Theatre programmer Belinda New. Tomas has recently relocated from Mohkinstsis (Calgary, Treaty 7 Territory). Before moving to Regina, he worked with a number of artist-run organizations and public institutions including the Calgary Public Library and the Public Art Program.

What brought you to Treaty 4?  

If you could make a description of my dream job, working as a curator of performance and moving image at a gallery within a public library would pretty much be it — I have a huge respect for the work of former staff like Blair Fornwald, and Cindy Baker, and it’s an honour to follow in their footsteps. There is also a great team and structure at the Gallery and Film theatre, the library, and in the community, and I’m so grateful to have this support. 

My partner is an artist, curator, and filmmaker, and one of her current projects is a documentary through the NFB, on her Great, Great Uncle, Édouard Beaupré, who at 8 ft 3 inches, was, and remains, the tallest man in Canada. He was born in Willow Bunch, just a few hours south of Regina, so it was a great opportunity also for her to be able to be closer to her family and this story. 

What role do you think the film theatre and your role as curator of moving image/performance can bring to Regina?

My Grandfather took part in the resistance during the Nazi occupation of Denmark. The occupation was brutal and forceful, but also insidious. There was a prevalent narrative, propagated through news reels shown in film theatres, that the occupiers were there to protect them against the Allied forces. My Grandfather’s role was to smuggle in newsreels from the UK, hold up the projectionist to switch the reels, and then quickly make an escape. 

I’ve thought about this story a lot throughout my life, and often wondered what I would do in a similar situation. These days, it’s getting easier to imagine. Rather than holding up a projectionist, working as a curator of moving image and performance seemed like a natural option.

I think the RPL Film Theatre, couched in the supportive space of the Library and Dunlop, is a really important and unique contextual space to explore and support creative practice, showcasing diversity and range of possibility in what moving image and performance can mean.   

What’s your take on the Saskatchewan film scene? 

My background has been more rooted in performance, and this has been my main engagement and experience with Regina. I’ve had the pleasure to take in Performatorium several times. It’s an amazing festival, and I’ve learned a lot from Gary Varro’s caring and challenging curation.

I’ve only been here two months, and of course with COVID-19, it’s been challenging to connect with the community, but I’m using the programming as an opportunity to form relationships, with communities and other filmmakers. PAVED Arts in Saskatoon put together a great program of Saskatchewan Filmmakers, through VUCAVU, and this was a great introduction for me to filmmakers in the province. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to showcase artists from the region, as I learn more about the community. One artist that I’m excited to work with is Marjorie Beaucage, an amazing Métis videographer, writer, and artist from Duck Lake.  

I recently had the chance to present work by Lethbridge filmmaker Dana Inkster. As part of a set of programming, Queer City Cinema’s Gary Varro wrote a moving text about his experience programming her video Welcome to Africville, for the 2000 iteration of the festival. I’m also working on a program in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Filmpool, as part of the Treaty 4 Gathering on September 16. As part of this, we are inviting members of the Nakoda AV Club, from Treaty 7, for a discussion, and to show films as part of Orange Shirt Day.

It’s important to me that we continue these relationships, rather than having one-off events. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to spend time with these works, and draw connections. There’s a lot that’s gestating right now, and I’m looking forward to see it take shape.

Amber Christensen is an independent media arts curator and programmer. She holds an MA in Cinema and Media Studies from York University. Her films and videos have shown in experimental media festivals including AntiMatter (Victoria BC), WNDX (Winnipeg), and the $100 Film Festival (Calgary). She currently resides in Treaty 4 (Regina, SK).