ROB MURRAY: I’m speaking with Banff-based photographer Nahanni McKay. You were born and raised in Banff?

NAHANNI MCKAY: I’ve been here my whole life. I left for a little bit to go to university in Vancouver but I came back after getting a practicum at the Banff Centre.

RM: What got you into photography?

NM: My grandpa owned a Banff photography shop called Arcade Camera when I was a baby; from 1970 to 1993. There were all these old photos and cameras lying around and I’d just pick them up and use them.

RM: What inspires your photography? What kinds of subjects do you usually take pictures of?

NM: I started early on with landscape. Growing up in Banff, it’s so hard not to take photos of landscapes. The more I got into my art practice, I started taking photos to depict the wildlife, the tourism, and how busy Banff has become over the years. I’ve just been using that in my art so far.

RM: You’re kind of old-school with your medium as well. It looks like most of your photos are shot on 35mm film?

NM: My favorite camera is my film camera. I take it everywhere. I just love the way it looks and I love the way it feels. I like how unique it is. We live in such a saturated community with landscape photography, with digital media – social media has had such an impact on Banff over the past 10 years. I wanted to do something different so I decided to pick up my film camera, and I haven’t really touched my digital camera since.

RM: Where have some of your pictures been exhibited so far?

NM: All over Western Canada. A bunch of places in Vancouver when I was going to university out there. Then I got into Contemporary Calgary through the Exposure Photography Festival. It’s currently in the Arts and Letters Club of Toronto, and right now I have a couple of my fun prints down at Wild Flour.

RM: One of your exhibits that really resonated with me was your Loop 14 one. What’s the story behind this?

NM: That started when I was working at the Two Jack campground and a wolf was shot by a Parks personnel. Growing up here, you’re kind of like, what are we doing here? Are we protecting the wildlife? Are we promoting tourism? I just wanted to honor the wolf’s spirit. I received such good feedback for Loop 14. I think making artwork, especially with everything that’s going on in mental health right now, especially with the year 2020, it’s really hard to make something that’s so personal to you and put it out there. I’m really glad that people felt the same way about Loop 14, that the animals need a voice as well as the people.

RM: There’s some upcoming news for you in 2022, I understand you’ve received a pretty honorable invitation?

NM: I was invited by the European Cultural Centre to exhibit my work in Venice in 2022, and although it’s not part of the Bienalle it will be taking place at the same time. It’s really cool because some of the artists in the Bienalle are kind of like my favorite, like Stan Douglas and Yoko Ono. I’m just really honored to be exhibiting in the same city as them at the same time.

RM: I understand you’re looking for a little assistance to get there?

NM: I’m applying for awards and grants and everything, and all my prints at Wild Flour – every print sale is going to go towards sending my work to Venice. No one really likes asking for assistance, but it’s really hard to achieve this dream if you don’t ask for any.

RM: Are there ways people can support you?

NM: Anything helps. It doesn’t even have to be funding, it could be just going on my Instagram, sharing my stories, sharing my photos, telling your friends. Just getting the word out there really helps right now and then we’ll see where that takes us.

RM: What is your online profile? Where can people find you?

NM: On Instagram and my website.

RM: Are you working on any projects right now?

NM: I’m currently working on this new project involving the bear. I’ve done the bison, I’ve done the wolf, and now I’m really excited to work on my bear project.

The transcription of this interview has been edited for syntax.

Filed under: Art, Banff, Photography