Cross-disciplinary research project puts the lived experience of precarious employment on display in BU Gallery
Brandon University – October 7, 2025
An exhibition of new artworks by Brandon University visual artist and Associate Professor Lisa Wood opens this month at the Glen P. Sutherland Gallery of Art, offering an immersive exploration of precarious work, mental health, and family life in rural Manitoba.
SHIFT/WORK: Portraits of Precarity runs October 9–21, 2025, with an opening celebration and exhibition walk-through led by Wood and her artist-research assistants on Thursday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. Light snacks and refreshments will be served.
Following its Brandon debut, the exhibition will travel to the FAB Gallery at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, opening November 27.
This exhibition is the culmination of Precarious Work and Mental Health: Exploring Uncertainty through Research-Creation, a multi-disciplinary project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
Wood collaborated with counselling psychologist Dr. Breanna Lawrence (University of Victoria, Principal Investigator) and rural health geographer Dr. Rachel Herron (Brandon University) to capture and represent the lived experiences of rural Manitobans navigating insecure, short-term, and contract-based employment.
The resulting artworks, layered paintings, 3D sculptural elements, sound collages, and narrative drawings, were created by Wood alongside artist research assistants Renata Truelove, Michael Vachon, and Dhairya Vaidya, over more than two years. Their work transforms participant reflections, interviews, and daily experiences into an experiential exhibition that conveys both the struggles and coping strategies that shape precarious work and its impact on families.
Lisa Wood discussed why the artistic process was integral to the project, “Art allows us to represent the complexity of precarious work in a way that traditional data cannot. Through painting, drawing, sculpture, and sound, we can convey fragmentation, entanglement, and resilience in ways that resonate emotionally and intellectually. The voices and experiences of participants are at the heart of this work, and it is an honour to help make them visible and audible to the broader public.”
Dr. Gregory Kennedy, Dean of Arts at Brandon University, praised the project’s collaborative and cross-disciplinary impact
“This exhibition demonstrates the power of bringing together the arts, social sciences, and community voices. By translating research into creative practice, Lisa Wood and her colleagues are not only advancing scholarship but also sparking public dialogue about equity, health, and the future of work. I would also highlight this project as a wonderful example of how undergraduate students gain exceptional professional experiences working closely with our faculty at BU.”
Dr. Bernadette Ardelli, Vice-President (Research & Graduate Studies), highlighted the importance of mobilizing research beyond academia
“At Brandon University, we value projects that connect meaningfully with the communities we serve. SHIFT/WORK is a powerful example of research-creation, making complex issues accessible and fostering empathy through artistic expression. This exhibition is both scholarship and social engagement, and we are proud to support it.”
Exhibition Details:
SHIFT/WORK: Portraits of Precarity By Lisa Wood with Renata Truelove, Michael Vachon, and Dhairya Vaidya
October 9–21, 2025 Glen P. Sutherland Gallery of Art, Brandon University
Opening Celebration & Walk-through: Thursday, October 9, 7:00 p.m.
The exhibition travels to FAB Gallery, University of Alberta beginning November 27, 2025
(submitted by Brandon U)