The Exotic Parasol: In Conversation with Benjamin Schmidt. Mixed Media, Snelgrove Gallery, Saskatoon SK, 2014 - Fifth Parallel Gallery, Regina Sk 2014.
The Exotic Parasol explores the role and use of the parasol through history on contemporary culture and it's use as a symbol of power. "From time immemorial, the umbrella has been a symbol of dominion, a sign of high political rank and luxurious power. By dint of its appropriation, the parasol has come to signify the exotic world." - Benjamin Schmidt. This artwork uses a mix of contemporary materials most commonly used by powerful business and political figures with particular attention paid to historical parasol design where the holder was kept at a distance from the person of import being shielded from the elements. This assured that the person holding the umbrella was never shielded from the very same environmental factors that were deemed so harmful for the person of power under the umbrella.