Jackson Two Bears^CA

Tékeniyáhsen Ohkwá:ri (Jackson 2bears) is a Kanien’kehaka (Mohawk) multimedia installation/ performance artist and cultural theorist from Six Nations and Tyendinaga, who is currently based in London, Ontario. 2bears’ research-creation activities focus on Indigenous land-based histories and embodied cultural knowledge, wherein they explore the creative use of digital technologies as a means to support the innovation, transmission, expression, and transformation of FNMI creative and cultural practices. Since 1999, 2bears has exhibited his work extensively across Canada in public galleries, museums, and artist-run centres, as well as internationally in festivals and group exhibitions.
2bears holds a BA. in Art & Art History from the University of Toronto, as well as a Diploma in Fine Arts from Sheridan College, Oakville. He received his MFA and Ph.D. from the University of Victoria, where he studied with esteemed professors Arthur Kroker, Taiaiake Alfred, Steve Gibson, and Andrew Schloss. His Doctoral work takes a cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary approach to questions of contemporary Indigenous identity, technology, and interactive/performance art. His dissertation, entitled Mythologies of an [Un]dead Indian, explores the aesthetics of contemporary Indigenous identity—its various manifestations, transformations, simulations, and hybridizations—within the context of our hyper-mediated, technologically saturated culture. 2bears is currently Associate Professor of Art Studio and Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Arts Research & Technology at Western University.