For Banff born artists, Nahanni McKay and Ben Evely, home has always been synonymous with the freedom of being in wild open spaces. It’s only natural that after years of friendship, followed by heated discussions about the future of national parks in the hallways of Emily Carr University, a collaboration between the two would sprout.

Born out of frustration at the changes happening in their cherished backyard, The General Store took head-on the difficult conversation around the commodification of the natural world and what it means for us as individuals, for our communities, and for the wildlife we share it with.

Combining Nahanni’s sharp photographic eye and Ben’s artistic sensibility, the exhibition aimed to challenge the status quo and spark crucial conversations about the need for larger action towards protecting the outdoor spaces around us.

“I hope that something we did pretty well with this project is to have the entry point be humorous and lighthearted and then as you dig deeper, you realize that a lot of the commentary of the work is more serious and critical,” says Ben.

While the exhibition took on a playful approach—it was strategically designed to have an almost gimmicky feel of a mountain-town gift shop—it’s not difficult to sense the desperation of two young artists watching their home slip away.

But there was also hope in this work, and a strong sense of responsibility to create art that reflects their values.

Coming from Métis ancestry, Nahanni applies a decolonization lens throughout her practice, down to the smallest detail—take her artwork pricing as an example—often listed as $18.85 in reference to the opening year of Banff National Park and the subsequent displacement of First Nations Peoples who had resided within its new bounds.

“What I know is that I’m very connected to the land of Banff and I feel responsibility as a local to make the kind of work that brings awareness,” Nahanni says. “To bring work like this to a gallery in the mountains, especially a gallery as accessible as artsPlace, was unique and felt important.”

The General Store ultimately sought to encourage dialogue within outdoor communities and tourism economies, and to create a positive impact. “Something I’d hope to see in the future is more community organization and more collective action in how we can impact change,” Ben adds.

As for the two artists—beyond doing work that’s fulfilling, they hope to still be able to get out into their backyard and enjoy the wild spaces around them.