First Nations Art in Canada

Identity

- Many Aboriginal people struggle to find a sense of identity

- Has been an issue in the past, continues to be one today

- Due to residential schooling, as well as other government made efforts to eradicate culture within Aboriginal peoples

Seven Grandfather Teachings

Brian Jungen

- Modern Sculptor

- Work has been featured at the AGO in Toronto

- Creates Installation sculpture pieces that mock cultural appropriation of First Nations culture

- Uses unnatural, manmade materials and found objects(Chin, Ferreras)

Humility

Daphne Odjig

Truth

Humility is represented by the wolf. For the wolf, life is lived for his pack and the ultimate shame is to be outcast.

Humility is to know that your are

a sacred part of creation.

First Nations Art in Canada

- Most famous Canadian Female First Nations Artist

- Became the first native artist in Canada to have erotic subect matter in art

- Painted many large murals and altarpieces

- Of Odawa Origin (Artsask, Leigh)

Bravery

Truth is represented by the turtle as he was here during creation of Earth and carries the teachings of life on his back. The turtle lives life in a slow and meticulous manner, because he understands the importance of both the journey and the destination.

Truth is to know all of

these things.

How is Native Art Different from European Western Art?

Bravery is represented by the bear. The mother bear has the courage to face her fears and challenges while protecting her young. The bear also shows us how to live a balanced life with rest, survival and play.

To face life with courage is

to know bravery.

Native Art

-Very Abstract style

- Wide variety of bright colours used

- Artwork mainly contains spiritual or natural content

Norval Morisseau

Western/European Art

- Very Eurocentric

- Art was often inadvertently racist

- Artwork was mainly portraits, landscapes

- At this time, realism was popular

Respect

- Of all the Aboriginal teachings, the 7 Grandfather Teachings are the most commonly shared

- Many Aboriginal organizations and communities have adopted the 7 grandfather teachings cultural foundation

- 7 Grandfather teaching play an integral role in developing Identity within First Nations peoples

Honesty

- Of Ojibwa origin

- Broke the barrier between white and First Nations art

- Most influential First Nations Painter ever

- Founder of Woodlands Style of art

- Extremely Famous

Respect is represented by the Buffalo. The Buffalo gives every part of his being to sustain the human way living, not because he is of less value, but because he respects the balance and needs of others.

To honour all creation is to

have respect.

Honesty is represented by the Sabe. Sabe reminds us to be ourselves and not someone we are not. An honest person is said to walk tall like Kitchi-Sabe. He uses what he has been given to survive and thrive.

To walk through life with integrity

is to know honesty.

Love

Wisdom

The eagle that represents love because he has the strength to carry all the teachings. The eagle has the ability to fly highest and closest to the creator and also has the sight to see all the ways of being from great distances.

To know love is to

know peace.

The Beaver represents wisdom because he uses his natural gift wisely for his survival. The beaver also alters his environment in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way for the benefit of his family.

To cherish knowledge is to

know wisdom

Contemporary

Indigenous Art

in Canada

1940s-present

Bill Reid

At this time in Canada...

Historical Context

- Of Haida and European Origin

- Very famous Sculptor

- Also made jewelery

- Most sculptures are very large

- Two most famous sculptures were featured of the old Canadian $20 bill (Reid Foundation)

- Residential Schools were active from 1880s to 1980s

- First Nations people lived on reserves, in poverty

- Racism and conflict between Europeans and Aboriginal people was rampant

Contemporary Development

- Aboriginal artwork wasn't accepted as fine art (by the Euro-Western culture's defnition) until the 1950s-60s

- Aboriginal Artwork began to be popular and in demend in the 60s, with the rise of the Woodland style

Woodland Style

Definition: A genre of painting originating from the First Nations people of Northern Ontario/Southwestern Manitoba. Features thick outlines,

x-ray views of plants, humans,

and animals, and use of

bright colours