Aboriginal Expression - Art

Art takes many forms in contemporary society, and First Nations, Metis, and Inuit peoples contribute to all of them.  As accomplished musicians, storytellers, dancers, performers, architects, painters, sculptors, designers, choreographers, directors, actors and filmmakers, Aboriginal artists have a significant place in Canadian and international arts and culture.

Some contemporary Aboriginal artists choose to continue the artistic practices of their ancestors, such as sculpting from stone, wood, and antler.  Many combine modern ideas and techniques with old symbols and themes.  Others adopt radically new types of art such as those that use computer technology.

Art in Canada - Interactive map of a wide variety of artists in Canada.

Dawn is a Metis, born in Yellowknife of Chippewyan and Welsh Heritage. She was separated from her family in infancy and raised in foster homes. While in her teens, she applied herself to her long-standing interest in art and began to develop a  unique personal style. Her interests ranged from drawing and painting to dyeing, spinning and weaving wools, as well as knitting one of a kind wearable art sweaters, and writing a book on knitting. During a short visit to Yellowknife in 1995, to see a former foster mother, she decided to stay on. In 1999 she opened her own Gallery and Studio where she continues to work and to share her ever-widening range of products featuring her uniquely Canadian style. Her art draws inspiration from Northern Images of the Aurora Borealis, Polar Bears, Inukshuks, Ravens, and other forms of northern imagery.

Dawn's style is constantly evolving and encompasses a diverse range of subject matter while remaining true to the brilliant colour combinations which has been an integral and recognizable mainstay throughout her body of work.

Her influences range from Yukon's Ted Harrison to Alfred Pellan, Picasso, and Gustav Klimpt.

A totally self-taught artist, Dawn enjoys exploring new mediums and is currently experimenting with mosaics. Several recent paintings include elements which are clearly mosaic inspired.

Dawn Oman Art: Home

Found at: Metis Artists.com

Christi Belcourt has documented her Métis ancestry on her website. This is an interesting account of her family background - her 'roots'. 

Uploaded on Oct 27, 2008 Daphne Odjig is a Canadian First Nations artist, speaking about her wide range of work and her history as an artist. Curator Bonnie Devine speaks about the importance of the artist, her work, and the exhibition. Odjig was referred to as the grandmother to Aboriginal art and was famous for being the driving force behind the Indian Group of Seven. Daphne Odjig passed away at the age of 97.

Published on Jul 6, 2016 Norval Morrisseau, CM (March 14, 1932 – December 4, 2007),[1] also known as Copper Thunderbird, was an Aboriginal Canadian artist. Known as the "Picasso of the North", Morrisseau created works depicting the legends of his people, the cultural and political tensions between native Canadian and European traditions, his existential struggles, and his deep spirituality and mysticism. His style is characterized by thick black outlines and bright colors. He founded the Woodlands School of Canadian art and was a prominent member of the “Indian Group of Seven”.

Uploaded on Jun 9, 2008 First Nations artist Andy Everson 

Published on Jun 19, 2014 Northwest Coast artist Andy Everson discusses his internationally recognized "No Enbridge" and "Idle No More" symbols as well as his path as a traditional native artist in the modern world.

Andy Everson Facebook Page

Go to the Traditional Art Form Research Assignment. Remember that you will use your Google Docs account from Red Deer Catholic Schools (@rdcrs.ca account). All of your assignments need to be created using Google. Do not cut and paste your assignments from Word to Google! Google allows the teacher to see a time stamped revision history of all of your work; thus, this authenticates that it is your work.

This link will take you back to the page that explains how to submit an assignment. 

Go to the Contemporary Artist Assignment. Remember that you will use your Google Docs account from Red Deer Catholic Schools (@rdcrs.ca account). All of your assignments need to be created using Google. Do not cut and paste your assignments from Word to Google! Google allows the teacher to see a time stamped revision history of all of your work; thus, this authenticates that it is your work.

This link will take you back to the page that explains how to submit an assignment.