Being Gooz!

BEING GOOZ! is a Nedut’en phrase meaning whisky jack and being nosey. The book chronicles Whess Harman’s extensive artistic explorations; from textiles, printmaking and beading to illustration and zines. Themes of Indigenous and queer identity are explored through Harman’s razor sharp wit and social commentary.

The book features critical essays from UBC Okanagan Gallery Curator Stacey Koosel, artist, professor and UBCO Alumni Peter Morin, and the artist Whess Harman. Full of Whess Harman’s visually striking and thought provoking recent artworks from 2016-2021, the book is a visual feast designed by Victoria Lum. Being Gooz! was created as part of a BC Arts Council funded artist residency at UBC Okanagan Art Gallery.

Being Gooz! catalogue

Softcover, 15 x 22 cm, full colour, 144 pages

Published by UBC Okanagan Gallery, 2021

Graphic Design by Victoria Lum

Essays by Whess Harman, Peter Morin and Stacey Koosel

About Whess Harman

Whess Harman is Carrier Wit’at, a nation amalgamated by the federal government under the Lake Babine Nation. Harman graduated from Emily Carr University of Art + Design’s BFA program in 2014, and currently lives and works on the territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh as the curator of grunt gallery. Harman’s multidisciplinary practice includes beading, illustration, text, poetry and curation. Their current projects include the Potlatch Punk series, various text-based works, zines, and comics.