Radicle Yew - Kelsey Ruhl – will be installing the new work as part of an activation in the Arena creating a backdrop for performances for other festival artists.

Kelsey Ruhl is an installation artist and performance artist. Born in Toronto, she moved to North Bay to study and has chosen to base her work in the North and has resided here for over 10 years.  She is a member of Future. In. Safe. Hands Collective, founder and Artistic Director of On the Edge Fringe Festival (August 14th-18th in North Bay). She is also a founding member of The Proscenium Club, touring theatre collective. 

radicle

/ˈradɪkl/

noun

• 1.the part of a plant embryo that develops into the primary root.

yew

/juː/

noun

• 1.a coniferous tree which has red berrylike fruits, and most parts of which are highly poisonous. Yews are linked with folklore and superstition and can live to a great age.

This work is a reflection on what it is like to live in a world where to settle down, have children, find community feels economically impossible, far reaching and irresponsible. Is growing roots grounding or binding? Why is finding a community so hard? Should growing roots feel like an act of rebellion?

What does your freedom and safeness mean to radicle yew?