Heather Hart: Northern Oracle

Organized and circulated by the Doris McCarthy Gallery. Curated by Ann MacDonald. Presented at MSVU Art Gallery in Partnership with the Africville Heritage Trust. We acknowledge the support of Arts Nova Scotia.

Northern Oracle is an ambitious rooftop installation that emerges from the floor of the gallery, and is accompanied by a series of mixed media drawings. Through her work, Heather Hart considers Black histories, access to ownership, taking up physical space, and the significance of having a place to call home. Visitors may access both the rooftop and its floor level attic, while contemplating and enacting upon these vantage points. Northern Oracle provides a performative area: a locale for demonstration of power, influence, and for “shouting from the rooftop.” The “Oracle” is the heart of the work and a shrine where visitors may leave offerings.

This exhibition ended early due to MSVU Art Gallery’s closure in response to COVID-19 restrictions.

Access support provided by

Opening Reception

January 18 at 2:00pm

Please join the artist for an informal presentation followed by a relaxed reception.
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided.

MSVU Waiver

Visitors are invited to interact with, climb on and explore the installation in Northern Oracle. Due to the size and scale of the structure, visitors are required to sign a waiver before doing so.

Waivers are available at the Gallery and for preview here.

Audio Companion